Proud to be an American?

I never thought I had an accent. My brother accused me of picking up a drawl in North Carolina, but on the whole, I thought I had a fairly neutral way of speaking. Well, of course, I come over here and give myself away within the first two words that come out of my mouth. One shopkeeper asked if I was on holiday (vacation), while a member of the circuit guessed my identity within a few words. I have never been more aware of where I come from. Many times, especially in the supermarket or on the bus, I intentionally avoid speaking unnecessarily. I don't want to be pegged.

During the summer months, starting in July, I think, there is a classical music series that runs on the BBC called "BBC Proms." I have not learned its origins nor its purpose, but each Saturday night, different orchestras perform music from different eras and for different purposes--or something like that, I'm not sure. :) I caught the end of the program tonight--which was the last one of the year. For the finale, they had choirs and orchestras positioned all over the UK--Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England--and they each sang a traditional song--Northern Ireland sang "O Danny Boy". The choir in London then sang a variety of anthems celebrating the heritage of this kingdom--Rule Brittania was the one that struck me. Throughout the time that I watched, every time the camera scanned the crowds, various people could be seen waving their Union Jacks (the flag of the UK) or their national flags from each nation of the kingdom. This might not seem unusual, but I also read today that the English are not a flag-waving people. The article did not describe why that is...simply that it isn't done. (Incidentally, the Union Jack is a combination of the national flags of England, Ireland, and Scotland.)

Where is this going? Well, ,as I watched people from across the UK wave their flags, belting out their national songs (some of them soaking wet in the pouring rain), I found myself in tears. Not one to ignore such a display, I immediately wondered why. Was it because I was homesick? Possibly. Perhaps a sense of pride in my new adopted (and temporary) home--but that seems a little weird, though not out of the realm of possibility (English pride is sweeping the nation as the England team is closer to defeating Australia in cricket than they have been in over 20 years.) After running through these options, my mind went back to a worship service this past summer at home.

The Sunday when our church celebrated the 4th of July (problematic, yes...but we won't go there now), a man in the congregation sang "God Bless the USA" as special music. A climactic point in that song (the chorus, maybe) says "I'm proud to be an American...." I remember reflecting at the time that I was indeed not proud to be an American at this point in my nation's history. I think perhaps why I cried tonight was a sense of mourning that I don't feel like I can wave my nation's flag proudly--for the simple fact that I am incredibly disappointed in my government and its actions.

Knowing who reads this blog, I am aware that many of you will heartily disagree with what I am about to say. These things are all up for debate and I do not pretend to have a claim on what is absolutely "right." However, in reflecting on who I am, where I am, and where I come from, I feel this needs to be said.

Several things contribute to my disappointment. Right now, it rests on our absolute disregard for some of the poorest people on the planet. In the past few weeks, President Bush has appointed a man as ambassador to the UN--even though this appointee doesn't even like the UN! And now, later this week, the UN has an opportunity to make history in an attempt to wipe out a large portion of poverty through the forgiveness of crippling debt that hinders these poorer countries from escaping the grips of poverty. Britain supports this jubilee as does a majority of the other G8 countries. Yet the US, the most powerful and one of the wealthiest nations is witholding support, bogging negotiations down in an unbelievable bureaucratic mess. Why? In a nation claiming its foundation upon supposedly Christian ideals (at least that's what we claim...highly debatable) with a President who was elected by a Christian majority because of his professed faith, why in the world are we turning our backs on a Christian practice of debt forgiveness and Jubilee? I simply do not understand.

The US has been using its power over and over again to destroy life in defense against terrorism. I say that our unwillingness to use our abundance to help rescue people from poverty, the likes of which even the poorest Americans will never see, is an act of violence against people who cannot possibly defend themselves. On this anniversary of September 11, Americans and others across the world mourn the loss of so many lives due to the violence of hatred on that awful day. But who will mourn the loss of the thousands of lives lost every day throughout Africa simply because they don't have enough food to eat or clean water to drink?

I want to be proud of my country. I think the ideals America set forth in the Constitution and the freedom we profess are essential in any country in any part of the globe. Consider this my act of patriotism, my flag waving to call my country into accountability and to live up to the ideals it professes.