A cultural approach to patriotism

ABSTRACT

This study explores an under-researched phenomenon of how African Americans communicate about patriotism via ordinary political conversation. We conducted two studies that offer a critical-qualitative analysis of how patriotism is colloquially articulated among African Americans. In study one, focus group interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed using constant comparative method. In study two, we conducted a quantitative content analysis. The findings from study one revealed that there are three relational conceptualizations that help characterize one’s orientation to their nation (i.e., community: subordinate, guardian, and tumultuous). Participants expressed having an attachment to, identification with, and commitment to their communities.

KEYWORD:

• Patriotism
• culture
• ordinary political conversation
• ritual

Notes

1. African American and Black, as racial labels will be used interchangeably.

2. American football player and quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick, refused to stand for the National Anthem during a pre-season football game in protest of police brutality against Black bodies and in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. Subsequently, President Donald J. Trump has labeled those who kneel or refuse to stand for the National Anthem as unpatriotic. His refusal to stand led to other high-profile athletes participating in silent protests across professional sports leagues. Colin Kaepernick was not the first member of a professional sports league to refuse to stand for the National Anthem; rather, it was pro basketball player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the Denver Nuggets who was the first to take a political stance in this manner. Abdul-Rauf was suspended in 1996 for refusing to stand for the United States of American National Anthem and willingly risked the $31,707 fine from the NBA. He had the support of the players union and reportedly “quickly reached a compromise with the league that allowed him to stand and pray with his head down during the anthem” (Washington, 2016).

3. Participant names were changed to pseudonyms for protection of participant confidentiality.