Are people losing the pride of being American?

The United States of America celebrated its 247th anniversary as a nation on July 4

As usual the day was celebrated with barbecue parties, parades, consumption of hot dogs, ribs, and hamburgers, and at night the fantastic, colorful fireworks displays lit the skies across the country

One would be excused if one were to assume that the celebrations were indicative of a people who are extremely proud of the nation they were either born in, or have adopted as their homeland

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But, the findings of a Gallup Poll conducted last month indicated that only 39 percent of US adults over age-18 are extremely proud to be American, and 28 percent very proud The combined 67 percent improved very little over the record low 65 percent of Americans who were extremely or very proud to be Americans in the similar poll conducted in 2022 The findings in both 2022 and 2023 dropped sharply from the 2004 poll when extreme pride in being an American peaked at 70 percent

The percentage of Americans expressing extreme pride declined in 2005 and in subsequent years, but remained at the majority level through 2017 Since 2018, however, extreme pride has consistently been below that, averaging just 42 percent

In terms of the combined percentages saying they are extremely or very proud, roughly nine in 10 Americans expressed high levels of pride in the earliest years of the trend, through 2004 In 2005, that figure began falling into the 80 percent range, before dropping to 75 percent in 2017, staying below 70 percent since 2020

What is causing people to be losing pride as Americans? There is no one reason, but rather a combination of reasons These include the sharp divisiveness in national politics; violent gun crime which is not being effectively addressed; weak national leadership; and the perpetuation of the racial divide

Ironically, while the sharp divide in national politics is one of the reasons for the decline in pride in some Americans, the evidence of pride is separated among party lines According to the Gallup Poll, 60 percent of Republicans are extremely proud to be Americans, while only 29 percent of Democrats are Democrats claim imbalances in social justice, and overt racism, as reasons for their decline in pride

The poll also indicates young Americans are less proud to be Americans than their seniors

Whereas 50 percent of U S adults aged 55 and older say they are extremely proud to be American, 40 percent of those aged 35 to 54, and 18 percent of 18 to 34-year-olds say the same The main reason why pride is so low among younger Americans is dissatisfaction with national leadership in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government

While the percentage of Americans who are either extremely or very proud to be Americans are declining, it doesn’t mean a similar trend exists in loving the country Over 80 percent of those polled admitted to loving America, but prevailing issues like gun violence, racism, and divisive politics militates against them being proud to be Americans Large percentages of Americans want major changes in crucial areas of the country to restore their pride in being Americans

A similar poll conducted in December 2022 found only 55 percent of migrant communities, like the Caribbean American community, were proud of their new status as Americans, or loved America This was not surprising

Most Caribbean Americans love being in America, but not being Americans They love the opportunities and financial gains America offers, particularly in the areas of career growth, and education; the opportunity to purchase a home, the latest in modern furnishing and electronic devices, and to own and drive the latest model cars But, most express no genuine love for America, or pride in being Americans The vast majority of Caribbean Americans still love their homelands and harbor dreams of returning to these homelands when they either have accumulated enough wealth to return and live comfortably, or return when they retire from their careers

A vast majority of Caribbean Americans although black, or brown, hate being lumped as black Americans and the cryptic marginalization this often attracts Most too, like other Americans, hate the increasing political divisiveness engulfing America

The stubborn indication that less Americans, including Caribbean Americans, are either extremely or very proud to be Americans, should be cause of concern for American political leaders Governments are more effective when those they govern are proud of being citizens of the country they govern The more people lose pride in being citizens of a country, the more difficult it is for governments to secure consensus for their policies

As America celebrates its 247th birthday, this important poll indicates that a pragmatic, singular approach is needed to solve crucial issues that are depleting people’s pride as Americans