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Donald Kagan ■ On Patriotism 137

In spite of the shock caused by the attacks A verse by Edna St. Vincent Millay provides
on New York and Washington and the years of a clear answer to the question of why Amer-
© Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. For review purposes only. Do not distribute.
war that have followed, I am not sure that we icans should love their country and make IDEAS IN AMERICAN CULTURE
yet understand how serious is the challenge the sacrifices needed to defend it and its
that now faces us. Early in the Iraq War I noted principles:
that “we are only at the beginning of a long and
Not for the flag
deadly war that will inflict loss and pain, that
Of any land because myself was born there
will require sacrifice and steady commitment
Will I give up my life.
and determination even during very dark hours
But will I love that land where man is free,
to come. We must be powerfully armed, morally
And that will I defend.
as well as materially, if we are to do what must
be done. That will take courage and unity, and Ours is such a land, and it will need the 15
these must rest on a justified and informed legitimate patriotism of its people in the long,
patriotism to sustain us through the worst dangerous, and difficult struggle that lies
times.” I think those words are still relevant. ahead.

LLUIS GENE/Getty Images

There is a long tradition of using the flag in public protests. Over the years, people have
burned flags, waved flags, or altered them to send a message as this protestor did in
2020.
How does the American flag represent both patriotism and protest? Is the flag a unify-
ing symbol of tradition and revolution? How do these contrasting ideas unite to create
an understanding of patriotism? Consider Kagan’s perspective on these ideas. How
does he reconcile protest in his definition of patriotism?

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