The Orbis

Issue date: 3/27/02 Section: Undefined Section

Digital Art by Matt Petty [Click to enlarge]

We are a patriotic people. We believe in our country, the good it brings to the world and the goals it sets for humanity. When the World Trade Center and Pentagon were attacked in September, it was a blatant attack on two of the United States' most powerful symbols--those of capitalism and our military might. From that tragedy, however, arose a new American people. No longer the naïve children we once were, we are now more determined than ever to make the world a safe and free place to live.

In the wake of the attacks, many businesses, from General Motors to local delis, began to use patriotism, mainly the U.S. flag, as a form of advertisement. General Motors and many other car manufacturers immediately began running commercials advertising zero percent financing on all new cars, with pictures of Old Glory waving behind a field of golden wheat, to spur automobile sales. When sales did start to rise, other businesses soon followed suit so as not to be left behind.

Though many see patriotism as an inappropriate way to sell something, I believe it is wholly appropriate and indeed necessary.

No one can deny that before Sept. 11, the U.S. had developed quite a sense of self-hatred. Coming from scandal after scandal and a recession to top it all off, too many people had become comfortable with bashing the U.S. One might be labeled a nationalist or even racist for saying that the U.S. is the best country on Earth. We had hit a low, to say the least, but out of a horrible tragedy we were able to find the real U.S., the one that was proud to wave the flag and say, "I am an American."

After the attacks, many people began to hoard their money, close bank accounts and generally prepare for the worst. As a result, the stock market plunged, unemployment rose and consumer confidence fell below recessionary levels. In response to these changes, U.S. businesses did exactly what they should have done; they reminded us of who we are.

They reminded us that we are Americans. We never give up and never quit. They helped us to realize that if we just stopped living our lives the way we had been, the terrorists would have won. By invoking images of the flag and our great nation, they got us to go to the stores and got us to spend our money, something many argued was the best way to end the recession.

We should be proud of U.S. and everything it gives us. If it takes a flag on a Metro pass or a picture of the Statue of Liberty to get us out and back in the swing of things, so be it. Though it took a horrible tragedy to get us where we are today, I think the new U.S., unafraid of its flag and its pride, is by far a better place to be than the one we once knew.

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