The many faces of patriotism

I spoke with a friend last night who described standing upon Robert Moses Bridge on Long Island, watching the center of the world burn down, his fists clenched in rage. And I understood. Moments later I had a conversation with another acquaintance who reasoned that it was only retribution for the wrongs committed by America upon other nations and that in fact most Americans would "be over it in a week since it's not their America that got bombed anyway."

Needless to say, I took issue with this acquaintance, and I hope and believe that he is wrong. But as to the sentiment that this America under attack was "not the America of most of its citizens," I urge every reader to consider this an utter and evil falsehood. For every person, every group, every state and every city lost something last Tuesday morning, and in the end it is only the realization of this truth that will get our America through this crisis. This is everyone's America.

This is the America of Middle Class Americans, a place where, despite how difficult life can be, it can be lived on our own terms. It may now be the case that that freedom is threatened, and middle class Americans will have no choice but to fight for it.

This is the America of the Rich, whose very profits stem from our capitalist, democratic systems — the very systems that most major terrorist groups have fought to undermine for the last century. For their own comfort and safety, the rich will have to struggle alongside every other American.

This is the America of African Americans, who worked so hard as a race to achieve natural, necessary freedoms during the last 500 years and most of all to obtain a place in the daily workings of American society. Now, while true equality may still elude some, it is the mark of brotherhood and the responsibility of those who live and thrive in our nation to stand up and fight for it.

This is the America of the Asian Americans who, despite the irrational treatment of Japanese during World War II and the stereotyping and prejudices that still exist, have risen to a place of economic and social prominence in the United States. Let us show our enemies — whoever they may be — that these attacks have awakened a sleeping giant and that those of Asian descent represent a powerful and proud part of that giant's might.

This is the America of Gays and Lesbians everywhere, who to this day suffer under antiquated, unjust laws and cannot openly serve in our nation's military. But why, I ask, fight so hard to exist peacefully under the umbrella of freedoms American law provides, only to see that system destroyed by an enemy far greater than any ultra-conservative senator or bigoted businessman ever could be?

This is the America of the Poor, whose lives are marred by so much difficulty and who, it seems, never seem to have enough to get anywhere in life. This is their America because to be poor here is to exist in a community where your life is always someone's concern and where no one can take that life from you — unlike those in other places of the world.

This is the America of the Uninterested University Student, whose immense liberties and ludicrously easy life will be the first thing to suffer or disappear should this country fall victim to repeated attacks like those it suffered yesterday.

This is the America of Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Mormons and Hindus. Whether or not you have felt segregated, alienated or ostracized because of your faith, you are allowed to sing out in praise of that faith, from wall to wall, from street corner to street corner, from church to church and from temple to temple.

This is the America of Latinos, for we have begun to carve a better life, just like so many immigrants before us, as we work and thrive in all fields and at all levels of economic success. The model for change stands before Latinos across America, but a better life can only come once safe soil has been defended.

This is the America of those hailing from the Middle East, which should remind us all that most people from that region of the world work hard to make our lives and their own lives better, and they cannot be associated with the monsters who have attacked our nation. Nothing erases racism and hatred like a sense of belonging. This can be, then, the America of those Arab Americans who belong to the anti-terrorist effort.

Get the best of ‘the Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

This is the America of Non-Americans everywhere. As the nation that still stands as the land of opportunity, the land of technology, the land of democracy and the land of hard work, America leads the world in immigrant population, volume of tourism and standard of living. Mexican President Vicente Fox's recent demands on our country belie, in fact, an anxiousness to take the final step in recognizing something that should already be apparent to all: for millions of those who are not United States citizens, this nation still provides the means to a better life and a more brilliant future.

It has happened. Destruction in our capital and in our principle city. Some will be tempted to let the anger fade. Others, according to this acquaintance of mine, will let the matter drop altogether, for they feel these attacks are not attacks on them. Well, let both groups reconsider. Never in my life have I felt as patriotic as I did last Tuesday when I witnessed the undeserved deaths of so many Americans who are nothing like me. We do not know who the enemies are. Perhaps they were born right here in America. But even if that is to be the case, I know, and I hope that you agree, that those animals are so much less American than any of the people who stand up, together, and fight them. Ian Martinez was an English major from Bohemia, NY. He can be reached at imm4@georgetown.edu.