There is a rising issue in America today. Because of recent politics, more and more people are becoming less patriotic towards their country. Throughout the last few weeks I have seen numerous people refuse to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at school. Many years ago it would have been frowned upon if a student or someone at a sporting event did not stand for their flag. With events such as the new trend of football players showing disrespect to their country by kneeling, the general public now believes that they, too, do not have to show they are grateful to have the freedoms that they possess. America is going in the opposite direction in regards to patriotism. Citizens are disrespecting those who fought and died for our country without realizing that the life and freedoms of an American are something that people from third world countries wish they could have.

    Many American songs represent in some degree patriotism, nationalism and jingoism. Patriotism is defined as support for one’s country or being patriotic towards the place in which one lives. Songs such as “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie and “God Bless The USA” by Lee Greenwood portray straight-up patriotism. Lyrics such as “This land is your land, this land is my land… This land was made for you and me,” portrays the artist’s belief that America was founded on the basis that the land of this country is for everyone to share. Lee Greenwood also shows his respect towards the men who lost their lives so he could have the life he does with words such as, “America, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” By listening to these songs, it forces people to stop and appreciate all that they have and how far America has come. It also makes people stop and think about how lucky they are and that they should be proud to be an American and stand for their country.

    As there are many patriotic songs, there are also American songs that can be defined as nationalistic. Nationalism is when someone has strong patriotic feelings and feel their country is better than others. “Made in America” by Toby Keith includes a few lyrics that may be viewed as too patriotic. Those words include “It breaks his heart seein’ foreign cars, filled with fuel that isn’t ours… He ain’t prejudice he’s just, made in America.” This represents the idea that people should only have American cars filled with people who live in America. The mention of prejudice also portrays that Americans are better than those from other places.

    Songs range from patriotic to nationalistic, and some are on the edge of indicating jingoistic ideals. Jingoism is a form of extreme patriotism that can include aggression. “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen includes lyrics such as “so they put a rifle in my hand, sent me off to a foreign land, to go and kill the yellow man.” Although this is a song, it can influence people to be prejudice towards or view Asian individuals differently. It is not jingoism, but it is heading in that direction. But most of these songs were written fifty or seventy years ago, when America was a different place.

    Some may say there is a danger of jingoism today, but others may challenge that idea. Historical evidence of fascism in China, Germany and Italy are examples of how America is not going in the direction of complete oppression and dictatorial power. There are stark contrasts between the two. There are similarities that America is facing again with race and people upset about the government and where it is going, but it has not reached the point to where we would be considered jingoistic or descending into fascism. If America has developed anything, it would be the lack of patriotism one has for their country, regardless of what songs they do or do not listen to.