American song now seems out of tune

I seem to recall that somewhere, in an American patriotic song, the U.S.A. is referred to as “the home of the brave.” There are any number of patriotic songs glorifying the U.S.A. and its people, and even one devoted to praise of, oddly enough, the flag. Americans tend to be very enthusiastic in their patriotism, as they have every right to be. Unfortunately, to claim that the U.S.A. is “the home of the brave” is beginning to seem a trifle unrealistic.

Since the start of the Trumpian Era, Americans have been displaying an unusual degree of fear, a fear that is being encouraged by their new president and his White House staff. Fear of immigrants is reaching panic proportions: women wearing the hijab, men wearing the kufi — such things worry the life out of many U.S. citizens. The assumption, quite unwarranted, is that such clothing is worn only by terrorists. Trump is busily trying to increase this unreasoning fear with his “Muslim ban” and his continual tweets warning of impending doom.

Americans seem to be terrified, not only of refugees, but of their own compatriots. Any society whose citizens feel the need to carry arms for “personal protection” is in serious trouble. And if that weaponry is thought necessary to defend against neighbours, it points to a deep-seated distrust and fear of people just like themselves. That is a very sad situation for a nation that sees itself as the “the home of the brave.”

Nobody would deny that U.S. armed forces’ personnel are as courageous as those of any other nation. They have proved their valour on battlefields around the world. The same applies, with some exceptions, to the police forces at city, state and federal levels. But to order those heavily armed and disciplined forces to harass and threaten refugees who are trying to escape from war and oppression — this shows no courage at all.

Plato, in his “Republic,” recognized that a leader will always be on the look out for some enemy (any enemy), so that the people will depend on him to protect them from danger. I don’t know if Trump has read much Plato, but his present attempts to demonize Muslims, and in particular Muslim refugees, offer a clear example of how Plato’s “tyrant” operates.

I cherish the hope that the good citizens of the U.S.A. will overcome the temptation to fear and to hate, but learn to welcome and even to love, not only those seeking refuge, but even their own neighbours.

Ed Healy Marystown