The misleading phrase seems to tell insurrectionist-types that they need to fight for America, and be brave, to maintain their freedom. That bravery was expended on the voyage overseas from Europe, it soured into delusions of grandeur and power.īut now, when misinformation is ubiquitous, when citizens can choose their own information source to confirm their existing beliefs and biases, “home of the brave” has become a total nuisance. In fleeing oppression in England, early colonists came here in defiance of their former lords, only to oppress everyone they found. When it mattered, America showed its bravery, I suppose. I’m certain those delightful fun-seekers at the Januinsurrection are proud to consider themselves among “the brave.” But as far as modern delusion goes, the phrase has served as a dangerous call-to-arms for the sorely misguided of America. To the people the phrase matters to, once again white men, “home of the brave” amounts to a justification of their impropriety. Whether a woman, an indigenous person, or an enslaved person, historically, the phrase comes up hollow, and continues to do so.īut my main point of contention comes with how poorly the latter part of the creed, “home of the brave,” translates into contemporary times. It never really applied to the country at all. I’m sure it was empowering at the time and throughout history, but the phrase itself seems a rather arrogant distortion of the truth. White men are generally the “free” in that statement, with everyone else experiencing something much less than freedom.
Or, I should say that the phrase was only true for a select few. Starting with the first part of the phrase, “land of the free,” we already run into trouble.
To me, “land of the free and home of the brave” is an antiquated statement in every sense.
Perhaps at one time it was applicable, when it needed to be, but in the years since the American Revolution, that creed, that promise, has become a burden. It’s in our national anthem, it’s chiseled in stone, it’s known around the world – it’s our motto, our claim to fame as a country, I suppose.
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