View Point
Friday, November 12, 1999

By Don-chean Chu

Patriotism must be nurtured

IN my high school days in China, I was taught, "America is strong because of her rich resources, science, social morality and patriotism."

After Pearl Harbor, I was assured, "Japan will be defeated; Americans love their country more than being rich and powerful."

During my first year in the U.S., in 1947, the morals, convergent spirit of the people and, above all, their national loyalty inspired me.

However, since the end of World War II, America has seen the speediest transformation in economics, politics and morals. Among the tremendous changes, we find gradual erosion of national loyalty.

The materialistic individualism promoted by the industrialization and mechanization has taken place against the idea of the nation as the overriding center of loyalty.

The nation has become too complex. It is changing too fast for individuals to feel that involvement is effective.

Because of some domestic failure and international setbacks, people have lost their optimism and confidence. Consequently, some have resigned from the idea of "we the people," and resort to cynicism and even radicalism.

The ultraliberals and radicals consider national loyalty a sign of immaturity. Some social planners think a computer age can program utopia; patriotism has been made technically obsolete.

In 1973, only 19 percent of college-age Americans thought that patriotism was a very important personal value.

Americans cannot be indifferent to the erosion of faith in their nation. We must regain the virtue of genuine national loyalty.

Why? It is theoretically sound and practically wise, because nationalism:

Differs from imperialism and chauvinism, which are oppressing other nations for one's own. It is the idea of working with other nations on an equal basis while the people love their land, countrymen and culture.

Does not require nostalgic return to the earlier glories; it is to cherish the good traditions and develop the new.

Does not mean everything American is good. It only means to treasure what is good and to learn what is better from other cultures for improving our own.

Can in no way be interpreted as neglecting individuals. The freedom, equality and right of the individual are honored by each individual, who must care for his duty to the nation as a whole.

Both private interest and national concern, feeling of privacy and feeling of belonging are needed.

Above all, both self-hood and nationhood are imperative.

How can our loyalty be revitalized? A start may be in political leaders giving evidence of integrity in their work.

Also, we must patiently pursue a program of education. It is appropriate to teach the young about the "beloved motherland," as many nations do.

The first place to carry out patriotic education must be in the home.

Support must be secured from the mass media to expose the negative features of American culture for improvement as well as its positive features for appreciation.

EACH school subject should play a role in this endeavor. Geography teachers, for example, might point to the scenic landscapes and many natural resources. History teachers can promote student pride in events of the Revolutionary War, the pioneer spirit that helped our country grow, the many American inventors that changed the world, and our exploits in space and on the moon.

Teachers should see to it that their students learn a more real history of America by learning about real Americans.

We must treasure our heritage and look for a brighter future. Let us join our minds and efforts to make America remain beautiful and grow greater.

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Don-chean Chu is a Hawaii resident who is
professor emeritus of education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
He is a scholar and author of seven books, and has taught for
38 years in the United States and China.