Patriotism's Secret History

An article in this week's The Nation explores some of the historical roots to our most patriotic songs and symbols. In it, we find out that many of our most beloved patriotic themes were written by what we would today call "progressives," or, in some cases, "radicals":

Most Americans are unaware that much of our patriotic culture--including many of the leading icons and symbols of American identity--was created by artists and writers of decidedly left-wing and even socialist sympathies. A look at the songs sung at post-9/11 patriotic tribute events and that appear on the various patriotic compilation albums, or the clips incorporated into film shorts celebrating the "American spirit," reveals that the preponderance of these originated in the forgotten tradition of left-wing patriotism.

While I agree with Robert Jensen that we should "Say Goodbye to Patriotism," this article is still a useful corrective for those who think that red-blooded, god-fearing, and market worshippin' conservatives are the only ones capable of "true" patriotism.