Patriotism toward the United States is a contentious topic among African Americans due to historical and present day racism. [1] As a result, different beliefs have formed, regarding the role of patriotism in the lives of African Americans.
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African Americans |
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In 1847, when most African Americans were still enslaved, the influential abolitionist Frederick Douglass denounced patriotism, stating "I have no love for America, as such; I have no patriotism. I have no country. What country have I? The institutions of this country do not know me, do not recognize me as a man." [2]
In Notes of a Native Son, James Baldwin advocated for constructive patriotism, claiming "I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually." [3]
After interviewing African Americans on their beliefs regarding patriotism, Micah E. Johnson described four distinct profiles among African Americans, which Johnson labelled the bystander, the sycophant, the subverter, and the conscious patriot. [1]
"At what point in time in Americas history has America given the black man reason to be patriotic? On the contrary, America continuously shows the black man he has no rights that the white American has to respect."
Among African-American respondents in a 2022 YouGov survey of 1,000 American adults: [5]
Patriotism toward the United States is a contentious topic among African Americans due to historical and present day racism. [1] As a result, different beliefs have formed, regarding the role of patriotism in the lives of African Americans.
Part of a series on |
African Americans |
---|
In 1847, when most African Americans were still enslaved, the influential abolitionist Frederick Douglass denounced patriotism, stating "I have no love for America, as such; I have no patriotism. I have no country. What country have I? The institutions of this country do not know me, do not recognize me as a man." [2]
In Notes of a Native Son, James Baldwin advocated for constructive patriotism, claiming "I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually." [3]
After interviewing African Americans on their beliefs regarding patriotism, Micah E. Johnson described four distinct profiles among African Americans, which Johnson labelled the bystander, the sycophant, the subverter, and the conscious patriot. [1]
"At what point in time in Americas history has America given the black man reason to be patriotic? On the contrary, America continuously shows the black man he has no rights that the white American has to respect."
Among African-American respondents in a 2022 YouGov survey of 1,000 American adults: [5]