I mean... I absolutely have done blockwalking and I don't know how true this statement is.
The old "Converts make the best zealots" line is as true for migrants as sectarians. First and second generation hispanic and asian families can be some of the most nakedly patriotic. Migrants routinely drape themselves in the flag to pass as locals. Anyone working independent contracting or operating small businesses will try to stand out as exceptionally patriotic to avoid harassment and cultivate a local clientele. Lots of these communities are filled with refugees from America's last war - Cubans down in Miami, Vietnamese folks in Texas and California, Iraqis and Somalis and Afghanistani ex-pats showing up in the Midwest - and either explicitly or implicitly had to show loyalty to get on the last plane out. They've already been filtered.
Similarly, I know a few black families that take particular pride in their military memberships. I also see echoes of nationalist sentiment in college fandom, local sports fandom, and other regional identity politics. Houstonians of all stripes love their rodeo, New Orleans folks love their Creole culture, everyone in New Mexico tries to claim their part Native, etc.
I think the dissonance is in trying to bind Socialism (an implicitly anti-American philosophy) with Nationalism. In my experience, disillusion with the existing government presages exploration of leftist political philosophy. Trying to get nationalists on board with an anti-capitalist philosophy is difficult in a capitalist nation. Similarly, trying to get socialists on board with a pro-nationalist message when disgust with Bush-Era nationalism paved the road they traveled to get here is going to cause your base to balk.
The folksy appeal of star-spangled imagery isn't the problem for minorities and migrants. Its pairing a soft-conservative image with a plea for revolutionary change that causes problems.
I mean... I absolutely have done blockwalking and I don't know how true this statement is.
The old "Converts make the best zealots" line is as true for migrants as sectarians. First and second generation hispanic and asian families can be some of the most nakedly patriotic. Migrants routinely drape themselves in the flag to pass as locals. Anyone working independent contracting or operating small businesses will try to stand out as exceptionally patriotic to avoid harassment and cultivate a local clientele. Lots of these communities are filled with refugees from America's last war - Cubans down in Miami, Vietnamese folks in Texas and California, Iraqis and Somalis and Afghanistani ex-pats showing up in the Midwest - and either explicitly or implicitly had to show loyalty to get on the last plane out. They've already been filtered.
Similarly, I know a few black families that take particular pride in their military memberships. I also see echoes of nationalist sentiment in college fandom, local sports fandom, and other regional identity politics. Houstonians of all stripes love their rodeo, New Orleans folks love their Creole culture, everyone in New Mexico tries to claim their part Native, etc.
I think the dissonance is in trying to bind Socialism (an implicitly anti-American philosophy) with Nationalism. In my experience, disillusion with the existing government presages exploration of leftist political philosophy. Trying to get nationalists on board with an anti-capitalist philosophy is difficult in a capitalist nation. Similarly, trying to get socialists on board with a pro-nationalist message when disgust with Bush-Era nationalism paved the road they traveled to get here is going to cause your base to balk.
The folksy appeal of star-spangled imagery isn't the problem for minorities and migrants. Its pairing a soft-conservative image with a plea for revolutionary change that causes problems.