•November 10, 2021•
By Brooke Clark
11th grade, ALAH

“Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.- (Adlai Stevenson II) As a lifelong public servant, Mr. Stevenson was well acquainted with the idea of patriotism. Most people, when asked to define patriotism, will say that it involves love or devotion to one’s country. What is harder to define is how patriotism is instilled in the younger generation so that it becomes a substantive aspect of their lives.
Most children are introduced to the notion of patriotism through a system of reverence and ritual. How many children begin their school day by standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with their hands placed over their hearts? Anyone who has attended a school sporting event knows that everyone stands, faces the flag, removes their hats, and again places their hands over their hearts for the performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner”. What happens when the Pledge and the national anthem end? The rote rituals of patriotism are easy and familiar and very few children are taught any level of patriotism beyond those they learned early in school.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.