American Patriotism in Sports and Comparison to Germany
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The admiration and support for one's country is manifestly present in each society. The United States of America is admittedly no exception concerning patriotism. In fact, one of its key representations in media is arguably Captain America, who should imply dominant American notions (Stevens 617). Nonetheless, before mentioning said conceptions, one must clearly distinguish between patriotism and nationalism since both are commonly used inaccurately as synonyms. According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, the former involves the “love of [one's] country and willingness to defend it” (“Patriotism”). The latter, however, incorporates a different kind of devotion towards one's homeland since the connotation of superiority to other nations is firmly represented (“Nationalism”). Thus, one must be aware of that minimal yet substantial detail when working on either of these expressions. Nevertheless, the focus on American patriotism is based on three main presumptions surrounding each particular characteristic of its society, namely: “[F]reedom, equality and respect” (Hall 9). These did not develop in one specific moment, but rather embrace an extended process demanding numerous initiations over several decades during the nineteenth century (O'Leary 53). Thus, “love of country was not simply a natural impulse; it required cultivation” (O'Leary 176). This investment incorporates various introductions to national ideals and symbols which should at a later time in history portray notable American social concepts with an ingrained affection towards the country. The beginning of this sensation can be traced back to the arrival of the Puritans (McKenna 368) as well as the establishment of the founding documents, especially the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution (Hall 10). Consequently, these records sustain the base for future patriotic movements connected to noteworthy American symbols.
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One of the most essential symbols representing all things American remains the flag. One might assume that the introduction of The Star-Spangled Banner as the national flag was an unchallenging procedure. This was, nonetheless, not the case since many complications emerged, while attempting to associate it as a nationwide symbol. In fact, it would not carry the title as an universal American icon until the late nineteenth century, shortly after the Civil War (Vile 3). Before that, it partially failed to activate a process aspiring to connect its meaning as a treasured patriotic trademark. This, however, does not suggest that numerous administrators did not attempt to accomplish it. Accordingly, various decrees were enforced which should outline general rules and ideas of its symbolism and arrangement. One of which was the act signed on the 14th of June 1777 implementing the 13 stripes to illustrate each independent colony united by the colors of red, white and blue (Ibid). Several decades later, another edict adding the notion to introduce stars portraying every state on it was signed on the 4th of April 1818 (Vile 8). Thereupon, these managements concerning its symbolism suggest an attempt to unify the American nation on the flag. In consequence, many American citizens embraced this patriotic sense, apart from some. As a matter of fact, according to a study conducted by Kemmelmeier and Winter in 2008, the presence of the flag does not solely arouse patriotism, but it rather enhances a feeling of nationalism, illustrating the impression that Americans believe their country to be superior when compared to other nations (868). Therefore, one should take into account that patriotism and nationalism, as mentioned above, denote a different notion of love for one's homeland. Nonetheless, the flag should represent affection towards America. Although this movement would proceed rather slowly, it still was able to withhold any obstacles leading to its current status of being the most iconic patriotic American symbol (Vile 9).
The other significant American patriotic symbol continues to be the Pledge of Allegiance. The inspiration for this oath stems from The Star-Spangled Banner national anthem, which unexpectedly took over a century after its creation to be officially recognized as America's hymn (O'Leary 21). The situation regarding the vow shares surprisingly some similarities when compared to the establishment of the flag's status. In fact, its conception involved an extensive procedure incorporating education as its main promoter (O'Leary 150). Schools introduced a nationwide movement, obliging students to daily perform patriotic practices, including the raising of the flag while pledging their allegiance to the American nation (Ibid). America benefited from an accelerating number of immigrants during the nineteenth century which would threaten the American spirit of that time (Ibid). In consequence, patriots decided to encourage the admiration of the country by focusing on immigrant students to ensure the flourishing patriotic perception (O'Leary 153). Thus, in order to substantiate this particular patriotic campaign, a non-adjustable day or event needed to be selected. As a result, Columbus Day on the 21st of October was chosen for pupils to engage in a ceremony concluding by publicly promising their adherence to the United States of America (O'Leary 169). Therefore, this specific ritual became a traditional standard ever since its introduction in schools (O'Leary 231). Habitually, the Pledge of Allegiance started to become one of America's key patriotic icons which still remain to this day.
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One should note, however, that this patriotic sensation receded over the past few decades, especially in the 1970s which possessed a social sentiment of incertitude (McKenna 354). One pivotal event, nonetheless, activated the resurfacing patriotic atmosphere in America, namely: The attack on the twin towers on the 11th of September in 2001 (McKenna 351). This devastating episode led the American citizens to rediscover their affection for the country by raising their flag regardless of nationality or ethnicity (McKenna 353). The over centuries promoted admiration for America eventually reappeared in the early twenty-first century to guard its influential conscious position in the American society.
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Nonetheless, this does not suggest that American patriotism vanished over time. It continues to be present in everyday American life, regardless if consciously or not. As a matter of fact, sports events may illustrate the most expressive representation of American patriotism since they incorporate key patriotic practices as well as symbols intertwined with competitive notions as mentioned in previous passages above. Furthermore, as stated above, every nation shares similar patriotic parallels, regardless if prominent or not. One of these countries is Germany since it undisputedly portrays patriotic behavior linked with national symbols. Thus, a later section will demonstrate pivotal resemblances of patriotism in America and Germany, due to the fact that it accepts numerous similarities with the United States of America.
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One of the obvious and most prominently discussed aspects of patriotism in the United States is its connection to U.S. sports culture. Sports historian and anthropologist Orin Starn at Duke University says that sports did not get tied up with notions of national identity and national pride until the creation of the modern Olympic games in 1894. Before that, it was "town against town, village against village". By the turn of the 20th century, baseball had become America's unofficial national sport, although it was more of a fixture of U.S. national identity ("As American as baseball and apple pie"). In September 1918, when the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Socks met for the first game of the World Series during World War I, national morale was low and the crowd's mood at most of Game One was solemn, nearly silent. Then, a military band took the field for the seventh-inning stretch and began to play The Star-Spangled Banner, not yet the official national anthem at this time. Boston Red Sox player Fred Thomas took off his cap and put his hand on his heart and others followed (Serazio 2019a).
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This event then became a trend, turning into a strong tradition within only a few years. Looking at American Football, one can clearly see the importance of this. Not only is the national anthem required before all NFL games, but the anthem is often accompanied by military honor guards and veteran groups taking the field, and frequent flyovers by Air Force jets. The U.S. Department of Defense paid NFL teams more than $5 million from 2011 to 2014 to produce public displays of support for the military, including honor guards, field-sized flags and "Hometown Heroes" segments on the Jumbotron calling attention to vets in the crowd. Also, on Memorial Day side staff and coaches often wear the so-called Camouflage Jersey (Serazio 2019b). Additionally, other holidays have become closely associated with football, especially the traditional Thanksgiving game of the Dallas Cowboys. In recent history, this has actually happened the other way around, as the Super Bowl weekend has turned into a national holiday and as an international media phenomenon has become a celebration of American culture and food throughout the world.
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The Black Lives Matter movement and support for former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, as well as the Covid-19 situation resulting in empty stadiums, has changed the NFL and their display of patriotic symbols within a few months during the years of 2019 and 2020. Patriotism and racism have come into use as synonyms in a lot of the recent publications and articles, making it hard to differentiate between the two abstract concepts (Martin & McHendry Jr. 2016). The partisan culture in front of the stadiums (this is the case for baseball and college games, too) further blurs the lines between Trumpism, racism, patriotism, pro-military and so much more (Montez de Oca et al. 2020). Observing the phenomenon of sports patriotism for another fan base, NASCAR in particular has a strong pro-Trump fan culture, with tailgating turning into Trump souvenir shops and its following becoming synonymous with “redneck” and CCR (Conservative Christian Republican) (Hugenberg 2008). Looking at the case of NFL player Colin Kaepernick in particular, the ambivalent connection of patriotism to the African-American community could perhaps not be more complex.
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During the 2016 preseason, then- San Francisco 49ers player Colin Kaepernick sat during the national anthem before the game. It is customary to stand normally and Kaepernick used sitting as a protest against racial injustice, systemic racism and police brutality, with the latter being a relevant topic in news media at the time. During the season, Kaepernick continued with the protest, changing to the now proverbial ‘kneeling’. The protests were and are a highly polarized topic, with some completely denouncing the protest and the movement it came to represent (basically the Black Lives Matter movement). The protest intensified after President Donald Trump became involved in the discussion, in one instance demanding team owners to ‘fire’ players that took part in the protest.
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As shown above, important aspects of the representation of American patriotism are largely based in support for the flag, support for the national anthem and support for the military. While Kaepernick and additional political activists (as well as a large amount of football and basketball players during the seasons 2017-2019) have made clear in the past, that the kneeling protest is not a way to discredit military and veterans in any way but solely due to racial injustice and especially police brutality, Trump and several conservative politicians, not to forget several NFL team owners, declined to believe these statements. Using this example, the controversial discussion surrounding the interdependence of support for the police/the military and the flag/the national anthem, that have become sort of synonymously used in the last decades, is certainly a heated and complex debate. The subtle differences and the detailed analysis of problems regarding the fine line between nationalism and patriotism is nonetheless not discussed objectively in American media and even less so in sports. It will be interesting to see the future of patriotism in sports from an academic point of view.
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It is also important to note here that the prominence of patriotic and national symbols during World Cups and the Olympic games is obviously based on the same principles as the ones mentioned above. However, these are not necessarily country specific to the United States, as these aspects of national identity in international sports championships can be found in similar fashion in the traditions and celebrations of other nations. These similarities and resemblances of patriotism will be discussed below, using Germany as the prime discussion point.
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Americans have little concern with patriotism or the flag as it is something, they take pride in. The flag is all present and the national anthem is played at every public and sports event. It also does not matter if you are more conservative or more liberal. You can be against the law and still think of yourself as a patriot. That is what unites Americans whether on the right or the left. In Germany, on the other hand, most people find it difficult to express their national identity in the same way as Americans do. National holidays are not celebrated to the same extent and the flag is seen much less in Germany. For this reason, it makes sense to analyze how patriotism differs between these two countries and where they share similarities. In fact, this difference becomes particularly evident in a global study by the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center, which found out that citizens of the United States share the world's largest national pride, while Germany is ranked at the bottom of the patriotism scale (Smith 2006).
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One historical explanation for Americans' patriotism is their colonial and relatively recent past. Political conflicts can be reduced to the last 200 years, which is the reason why the country has been able to develop its national identity. Most Germans are hesitant to publicly express their attachment to their own country, as expressions of national pride and patriotism, especially in public, are associated by many in Germany with right-wing sentiment (Glassberg 1993). In Germany, given its history, which includes the Holocaust and World War II, a fierce debate continues to rage about how strongly someone should particulate pride to his homeland. It is quite different, however, when it comes to expressing pride to the own city or region. In Germany, the identification to the region or city where you live seems to play a much bigger role than pride in your own country (Regev 2018).
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Nevertheless, there have been impactful events in both countries that have helped to strengthen a sense of national identity. The terror attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 strengthened the national feeling massively. The American flag could be seen everywhere in the country, uniting the nation under The Stars and Stripes. People have always been singing the national anthem with pride, but after September 11, the whole country was united. So, in Washington, on the steps of Congress, congressmen from both parties came together as the nearby Pentagon and New York City were still burning. Together they sang God Bless America as a sign that America was united in this moment of crisis. Germany, on the other hand, experienced a national coming out during the 2006 World Cup. Before that, the open expression of national feelings was more of a taboo. It was only when this behavior was welcomed in the media as a normalization of the relationship to one's own nation that people dared to wave German flags in mass numbers.
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Americans accept and celebrate diversity because it is in their history. The U.S. is considered as a country of immigration, with immigrants coming from all over the world for more than two hundred years. For this reason, immigration today is characterized by great diversity. Most Americans can trace their ancestors back to Europe, Africa, Latin America, or Asia, and therefore also understand that without this diverse heritage, they would not have become the nation they are today. With this in mind, immigrants identify with the U.S. and consider themselves "Americans" in the first place, rather than immigrants (Nowrasteh; Forrester 2019). By comparison, Germany is still a relatively young immigration society, where many immigrants have very strong bonds to their home countries. For example, studies show that many foreigners feel comfortable in Germany but do not have the same sense of patriotic feeling towards the country as native-born Germans. Consequently, this also makes it more difficult to build a national identity throughout the country.
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One fundamental difference between America and Germany is the patriotic attitude of the poorer part of society. Since Germans do not tend to have a patriotic mentality there is no social class in which patriotism plays a greater role than in the rest of society. According to the data from the World Values Survey, generally poorer countries are in the lead when it comes to patriotism, but in America it is the poorer class that is extremely patriotic. 80% believe that America is "better" than other nations. This is mainly because many in America still hold to the slogan From Rags to Riches. They believe that hard work can basically provide wealth since in America everyone is equal. Another reason is the ideals that America stands for, such as peace and freedom. For these reasons, the poorer hold strongly to their country and its supposed ideals (Duina 2019).
Patriotism in America can be traced back to any part of society, as illustrated here. The flag, the national anthem, and the history of the past centuries have shaped the national identity of Americans to this day, and are thus seen everywhere in society, whether it is in sports or on holidays. Whether such a patriotic attitude is good or bad is an open question, but it is safe to say that the patriotism of Americans is unique.
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Readers of this article may also be interested in Civil War Re-Enactments and US Gun Culture, which also look at aspects of patriotism in the US.
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Works Cited:
Dana, Regev. “Deutschland: Lokalpatriotismus statt Nationalstolz.” Deutsche Welle, 26 Aug. 2018, https://www.dw.com/de/deutschland-lokalpatriotismus-nationalstolz/a- 54649572. Accessed 08 Jan. 2021.
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Duina, Francesco. “Why are Poor Americans more Patriotic than their Wealthier Counterparts?” The Guardian, 20 Nov. 2019, https://www.theguardian.com /commentisfree/2019/nov/20/poor-americans-patriotic-than-their-wealthier- counterparts. Accessed 08 Jan. 2021.
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Glassberg, David. “Patriotism from the Ground Up.” Reviews in American History, vol. 21, no. 1, 1993, pp. 1-7.
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Hall, Simon. American Patriotism, American Protest: Social Movements Since the Sixties. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2011.
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Hugenberg, Lawrence W., and Barbara S. Hugenberg. "If it ain't rubbin', it ain't racin': NASCAR, American Values, and Fandom." Journal of Popular Culture (Boston), vol. 41, no. 4, 2008, pp. 635-657.
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Martin, Steve, and George F. McHendry Jr. "Kaepernick's Stand: Patriotism, Protest, and Professional Sports." Journal of Contemporary Rhetoric, vol. 6, no. 3/4, 2016, pp. 88- 98.
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Kemmelmeier, Markus and David G. Winter. “Sowing Patriotism, But Reaping Nationalism? Consequences of Exposure to the American Flag.” Political Psychology, vol. 29, no. 6, 2008, pp. 859-879. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/20447171?seq=1. Accessed 04 Dec. 2020.
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McKenna, George. The Puritan Origins of American Patriotism. Yale University Press, 2007. Montez de Oca, Jeffrey, and Stephen Cho Suh. "Ethics of Patriotism: NFL Players’ Protests against Police Violence." International Review for the Sociology of Sport, vol. 55, no. 5, 2020, pp. 563-587.
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“Nationalism”. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. 9th ed. 2015. Print.
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Nowrasteh, Alex, and Forrester, Andrew. “Immigrants Recognize American Greatness: Immigrants and their Descendants are Patriotic and Trust America's Governing Institutions.” Immigration Research and Policy Brief, no. 10, 2019, pp. 3-4.
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O`Leary, Cecilia Elizabeth. To Die For: The Paradox of American Patriotism. Princeton University Press, 2018.
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“Patriotism”. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. 9th ed. 2015. Print.
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Serazio, Michael. “Perspective - How Empty Displays of Sports Patriotism Allow Americans to Forget the Troops.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 24 May 2019a, www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/05/24/how-empty-displays-sports-patriotism- allow-americans-forget-troops/. Accessed 08 Jan. 2021.
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Serazio, Michael. The Power of Sports: Media and Spectacle in American Culture. New York University Press, 2019b.
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Smith, Tom, and Seokho Kim. “National Pride in Comparative Perspective: 1995/96 and 2003/04.” International Journal of Public Opinion Research, vol.18, no.1, 2006, pp. 127-136.
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Stevens, J. Richard. “” Let’s” Rap With Cap”: Redefining American Patriotism through Popular Discourse and Letters.” The Journal of Popular Culture, vol. 44, no. 3, 2011, pp. 606- 632. Wiley Online Library, doi-org.proxy.bnl.lu/10.1111/j.1540-5931.2011.00851.x. Accessed 04 Dec. 2020.
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Vile, John R. The American Flag: An Encyclopedia of the Stars and Stripes in U.S. History, Culture and Law. Abc-Clio, 2018.
