On April 30, the Biden Administration released a press release, proclaiming May 1st as Loyalty Day for the United States. This day invites citizens to celebrate “our allegiance to the project of this great Nation and the democratic ideals woven into the fabric of our Constitution.” Firstly, this nation was not founded on truly democratic ideals that served to protect everyone within its borders, and it’s still trying to get that right; I’d challenge anyone to explain when the country has truly ever stood united (if not at the expense of a marginalized group). As for the purpose of this celebration, is the administration really asking people to pledge their allegiance, especially during this moment in time?
The naivety of this sentiment is astounding, especially after last summer. After the efforts of people of color –especially Black people– speaking up, writing and protesting about the various injustices that we face in this country, asking people to just simply pledge their allegiance to America as a way for us to unify is tone deaf. It’s too simple and fails to understand the nuance of the problems within the country. The insurrection in January has shown that there are a lot of people, both within the fringe and within traditional society, who don’t actually want to unify, but continue to dominate. What’s worse is those same people are purportedly loyal to this country, but only to a country that values white Americans and will go to extremes to bring back that image (see: MAGA).
The remedy for division is not people pledging their loyalty; the answer should be to identify areas where the country can improve and implement structural and long-lasting positive changes that benefit all Americans, including marginalized groups. Additionally, we must also continue to protect the Constitution and rule of law because of its power to bind us together or tear us apart. If there’s one thing we have seen, it’s that legality is fluid. For a lot of people in this country, it has been a weapon used to maintain oppression and division.
On the day of this proclamation, Black and brown people are dying at disproportionate rates at the hands, knees and guns of police; Natives are facing crises that are continually ignored; undocumented peoples’ fates remain in limbo (especially for an administration that declared a 100-day goal of stopping family separations); Asian people are facing increased violence following this pandemic; there are state level legislation that are actively seeking to infringe on the rights of LGBTQ people (especially the trans community) and eligible voters; the list goes on. Why should people pledge allegiance to a nation that presently does not do the same for them and offers them no comfort, no balm or salve against the abrasive, corrosive and smarting wounds this country creates?
To the Biden Administration, loyalty means “standing united as one people, even as we cherish our differences and respect dissent.” However, loyalty is a two-way street. I urge the federal government to acknowledge the systemic oppression of the very people it is now asking to observe this Loyalty Day, and to do everything in their power to ensure that everyone within its borders is protected. If American hopes to earn the loyalty of its people, it has a long way to go. I’d even venture to say that most people have had their arms extended for an embrace that has for centuries gone unreturned. Until the offered embrace of those most marginalized is returned, America will always fall woefully short of proving it is worthy of unwavering loyalty.
