Michelle Obama and Patriotism

"For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country."

When Michelle Obama said that, the media had a field day blasting her for a lack of patriotism. People asked how we could possibly support a candidate whose own wife didn’t have pride in her country.

I admire Mrs. Obama for that statement, both for having the guts to say it and for the sentiment it implies. It does not imply lack of patriotism; rather, to me, this statement means that she has believed that this country is capable of more.

I agree. I am not proud of many things that this country has done. I am not proud of the war in Iraq. I am not proud of the fact that we elected Bush and Cheney to lead us for eight years. I am not proud of the lack of gun control or the fact that the death penalty is legal here.

But, like Mrs. Obama, I believe that we have the potential to do more. I believe that this country can change, and that it can be great. I believe that we can really have liberty and justice for all, as far-fetched as that goal may seem at the moment. I believe that, with the right leadership, it’s possible.

Mrs. Obama does not claim blind patriotism. She does not believe that this country is always a wonderful place, or that the actions of its government are always admirable. She is able to see it with a critical eye, something that I can admire far more than pride without reason or criticism. Real patriotism is wanting America to be the best it can be. Real patriotism requires seeing America in a critical light, and wanting to fix what is wrong. Were Mrs. Obama not a patriot, she would have left this country. Instead, she wants to improve it. This is something I can get behind, far more than any statements of constant, blind love for this country, statements that imply either stupidity or lies.

This controversial statement is what makes Michelle Obama real. It makes her not just a symbol of patriotism and loving this country, but a real person who, despite recognizing the faults of this country (or because of them), is giving up her life to change it, to support her husband’s run for the White House, and make this country into something we can all be proud of.