AMERICAN public schools take the teaching of patriotism very seriously especially post 9/11.
According to Diane Ravitch, a research professor at New York University, with credentials a mile long, this generation had gotten relaxed in its teaching of patriotism in schools.
Until the last generation, American public schools took the teaching of patriotism as an intricate part of the school curriculum.
A school day began with the Pledge of Allegiance, every classroom displayed an American flag, the flag was raised each day over school and students learned the songs of American civil religion – the national anthem, “God Bless America,” “American the Beautiful,” “My Country” etc.
Since the earliest days of public education, schools have always been expected to teach the history, culture and symbols of America and to encourage students to feel part of the nation.
Public schools in America are generally viewed as the institutional expression of national pride, because they are considered the quintessential governmental instrument for building a strong vibrant national community.
Given that America is home to people of many immigrants, creating a nation with a wide variety of national and ethnic origins, the public school system is expected to teach everyone the duties and privileges of citizenship in America.
While it can be argued that schools across the globe teach their students to respect the larger community that supplies and funds their education, America has taken it far when it comes to teaching patriotism to its young citizens.
While other nations are bound by ties of blood or religion, America is a social creation evolving not from common inherited features but from a shared adherence to democratic ideology as embedded in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Public schools in America are expected to help forge the American people in each generation by teaching children about the nature and workings of a democratic self-government.
The public school system is in itself an expression of the nation’s ideology: it is the factory through which the American Establishment creates Americans who believe in individualism, self-improvement and progress.
Has anyone ever wondered why a nationa of millions would agree to endless wars and go about their businesses quietly despite the glaring atrocities their government commits across the globe.
Americans are taught at an early age that their government acts on their behalf and for their welfare, the notion that politicians can abuse power while very much understood and appreciated is barely equated to American politicians because to the average American, the American politician is an embodiment of America and America is “the home of the brave and free”.
Having to recite every school day allegiance to the state might be classified not only as indoctrination but also as a violation of one’s rights but then when it is for the good of the nation it certainly cannot be called a violation of one’s rights.
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Commenting on “Nationalism and the School Curriculum”, John Simkin writes that teaching nationalism and patriotism poses a threat to world peace.
Using Hitler as an example, Simkin highlights how the teaching of nationalism had a great influence on one of the most infamous men in world history.
He asserts how it is fairly common for students leaving schools thinking that they are superior to those in other countries after having undergone patriotism teachings in schools.
Simkin instead says schools should teach internationalism which he defines as an attitude that favours cooperation among nations.
Coming to Zimbabwe, why is it that the school curriculum has not done much in equipping students the dignity that comes from identifying with the Zimbabwean story?
Is it possible that the regime change project could have been defeated long ago had we as Zimbabweans been taught to appreciate the goals of the liberation struggle and to stand our ground instead of being wooed by the silky tongues of those who had been paid the proverbial 30 pieces of silver to sell out the cause.
I believe now is the time for Zimbabwe to introduce a curriculum that places value on the ideology that was behind the founding of this country.
I have attended gatherings where Zimbabweans cannot even sing a complete verse of their national anthem.
How embarrassing is that? Our situation has not been helped by the media and civic groups who have any attempts to create a national agenda by blackening those attempts as a ZANU PF conspiracy to maintain a hold on power.
The Democrats and Republicans might have their differences but it is important to note that when national interests are at stake they will agree to bomb women and children in faraway places so that America remains in constant supply of cheap oil.
The lesson here is that Zimbabweans need to understand that certain interests supersede party politics and the best way to ensure this takes root in the nation is to take patriotism to the classroom.