Not only has the election of Trump brought along a “new morning in America,” as described by many leading Republican figures, but an entirely new way both Americans and foreigners see the ethos of this recovering country. The precipitance with which Hamas responded to Trump’s election by agreeing to free the hostages, the fear in which Mexico and Canada responded to the record breaking tariffs, and the new mask of defense that legacy media has begun to wear all remind us of the “old way” of things, when Americans would wear their exceptionalism proudly on the sleeves of their flannels, suits, sweatshirts, and anything in between.
The idea of American exceptionalism has come under the heavy scrutiny of milquetoast Republicans and bullheaded Democrats that have led the last three decades of politics. Customary of the simplistic, imprudent, “TLDR” way of consuming media and discussing current events, genuine American exceptionalists were painted as cocky interventionists too proud to see the shortcomings of the U.S. While “we are so back” in the sense that women have reclaimed their sports again and we are already beginning to become less reliant on China for our goods, we’re also “so back” in the sense that exceptionalism has already reclaimed its traditional meaning.
While only a year ago, it was perceived by a disillusioned culture to be the idea that “the way we currently run every aspect of our life, society, and government is superior to all other countries at this moment in time, and there is nothing at all that can be learned from other countries,” which is just about the stupidest, most inconsistent take on American politics one could ever have.
And no, it’s not a coincidence that that sentiment is now more likely to be iterated by a Cheney instead of a Trump.
So what is this new, old meaning of the uniquely American belief? G.K. Chesterton believed that The United States is the only nation that is founded upon a creed, which is listed with a sort of “theological lucidity,” that Jefferson knew what he was doing when drafting the Declaration of Independence, and that the best way to conduct American affairs is with this fact in mind.
True American exceptionalism is embracing these principles and accepting that while we may not be the best in this moment, due to more transitory factors, we have the potential to be, and as long as we don’t permanently abandon what we, as a nation, hold most dear. Whatever we endeavor to accomplish, with a deep understanding of our creed, can be one of the best things to happen on Earth.
America is the best country on Earth, even through the stains of the Trail of Tears and Japanese internment. The difference between our country and all others is that those sad events are only stains. Our country was not established for the purpose of exiling Indians off land or rounding up the Japanese in a time of worldwide panic, as some other countries were created for the very purpose of oppression and seizing power. Countries of the latter category are famous today for their self aggrandizing propaganda and overcompensating names, such as the “Democratic Republic of the Congo,” “The People’s Republic of China,” or, even worse, “The Democratic People's Republic of Korea.” Yes, the United States could, at times, be convicted of propagandizing the war effort by promoting liberty bonds or victory gardens, however our propaganda has never gone as deep as convincing the people of the most basic fact that “we are a good country!”
Part of our theological lucidity holds that we not only can, but ought to treat our leaders as who they are. While North Koreans are forced to pay homage to “our father” who art in the throne, Americans willingly pray homage to Our Father, who art in Heaven.
It is a beautiful thing to be proud of one’s country. However it is even more profound to be encouraged to love one’s country, and to do so with others. One of the easiest ways to differentiate between the Left and the Right is by what kind of friend they are to the nation. When Trump won (both times), his opponents burned the flag, renounced their citizenship, and whined of America’s inherent evils that allowed him to take office. When Biden won, Conservatives still stood by the flag. In fact, we worked harder than ever before to save our nation from the grasps of Liberalism.
The idea of a fair weather friend is both quite peculiar, in the sense that they come around when you need them least of all, and very straightforward, as they need you the most when you are at a high. However I don’t pretend to completely understand it. The American flag on my wall has been up way before January 20th, 2025.
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