Can America really get along this July Fourth? Local residents share views on patriotism

The fireworks, both the incendiary and political ones, will be booming soon.

So, too, will the marching bands, amid waving flags and reflections of independence won and the birth of a nation.

As we celebrate America’s 248th birthday on July 4, there’s a realization by many historians this year is unlike many that preceded it.

A war in Europe that began February 2022, continues to rage as Ukraine forces, weary and often out-gunned, fight to oust invading troops from Russia.

In the Middle East, the bloodiest conflict in 50 years shows no sign of abating as Israeli’s army seeks to violently flush out and eradicate lingering remnants of Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip.

And here at home, American voters are bracing for one of the most contentious, expensive and consequential presidential races in our history. The political and cultural rifts that have dominated our political landscape these past dozen years or so threaten to divide citizens, voters, neighbors and even family members even more.

And it seems many are asking what could happen after Nov. 5, once all the votes have been counted?

Against that backdrop, the Herald-Leader launched its summer interns across central Kentucky to ask everyday people one very simple question: “How do you define patriotism this Independence Day?”

The answers, predictably and much like the diversity in our country, were hardly uniform.

Patriotism, to some, means more than merely saluting the flag and supporting our country.

For Tip Richmond of the Chevy Chase neighborhood, patriotism is linked closely to the sacrifices his family members made during World War II.

“That was a connection to that experience that the current generation, my children, don’t have,” he said.

For Karen Zimmerman of Portland, Oregon, who was in the area recently to visit family, her definition of patriotism has changed as America’s political climate has become more divisive.

“It’s swayed me and made me disappointed because of the hate,” she said.

Despite the country’s contentious political environment, several told the Herald-Leader they still believe in finding common ground.

Richmond is one of them. But, he told us, it could come at a high cost.

It will take something cataclysmic like “a significant military involvement where Americans lose lives” for the country to come together, he said.

“We can coexist, each in our belief system. And you need something bigger than all of that to cause people to see what we have in common rather than what separates us,” Richmond said.

Here’s what our summer interns heard as they spent a couple days roaming the streets of central Kentucky asking the question: “How do you define patriotism?”

Personal agendas are hurting America

Jasmine Coates of Lexington said patriotism involves standing up for what’s right and wanting to see change.

The 24-year-old said she didn’t agree with how former President Donald Trump handled the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Coates said she believes politics were involved in COVID-19 rather than solving public health and vulnerability. She thought her leaders were going to speak for the people. Instead, she said, they “had their own agendas.”

“It kind of distorted my view on politics a little bit,” Coates said. “Kinda lost a little hope in someone serving for people.”

While her hope in politicians has suffered in recent years, she still supports her family serving in the military.

“I have a cousin that’s in the Air Force,” she said. “He’s serving his country proudly.”

Who really cares about us?

Mark Smith defines patriotism in several ways: Freedom, independence, love of the country and the “support of our troops.”

Offering unflinching support to the military is a routine part of the 53-year-old’s life because he has multiple family members in the service.

With family on the forefront of his mind, the Madison County man added he was in Lexington because his wife is being treated at UK HealthCare.

Patriotism, he said, also involves offering support to the nation’s leaders, whether he agrees with them or not.

“I’m not really a believer of either side having our best interests at heart anymore,” Smith said. “But I still think we need to support who we elect.”

‘Upholding American values’

For Karly Walker, patriotism is more than touting the greatness of America.

It is the process of “upholding American values,” the 28-year-old Hamburg woman said.

American values are unique to every individual, and it’s the variety of cultures and beliefs that define the nation.

“There’s a lot of people ... in this country (who) want Americans to look a certain way or act a certain way, and that’s just not America to me,” Walker said.

“America is America because we have such a melting pot.”

Walker said the country struggles with a polarizing political divide.

When it comes to patriotism, Walker said a lot of people have the misconception it means “you have to be 100% for America and Americans only.”

“In reality, America is such a superpower in the world that we have the ability to reach out to and help so many people,” she said.

“We can also take lessons from other countries and apply them to our own nation.”

‘We can co-exist’

Tip Richmond doesn’t hesitate when you ask him to define patriotism.

“Willing to sacrifice in some way for your country and to see, when possible, what’s best in our country, knowing that we can always improve and be better,” says the 72-year-old from the Chevy Chase neighborhood.

His father and two of his uncles served in combat in Europe during World War II, and he spent four years active duty in the Army with 20 years in the reserves.

“As a child, you learned at a very young age the sacrifice that people that you knew had actually made in the war,” Richmond said.

“That was a connection to that experience that the current generation, my children, don’t have. They’re not connected to people who went through that.”

The country’s contentious political temperature doesn’t affect Richmond’s view of patriotism.

But, he said, it will take something cataclysmic like “a significant military involvement where Americans lose lives” for the country to come together.

“We can coexist, each in our belief system. And you need something bigger than all of that to cause people to see what we have in common rather than what separates us,” he said.

Young people must be more involved

Thomas Lewis’ family is dedicated to giving back to those in its community.

“We’re on this Earth for a short period of time, so it’s best you use your time wisely and help people around you,” he said.

The 21-year-old from Speigle Heights says patriotism is upholding American values and beliefs, whatever that may be for the individual. For him, it is doing right for your community and making your country better for future generations.

Lewis said he believes the current political climate has made people shape their lives around who they voted for, or who is currently in office.

“To each their own, of course,” he said “But I believe some things have definitely been politicized that shouldn’t be.”

Putting aside differences and finding common ground is the way forward for Lewis. He is optimistic about that possibility, but he predicts it might take another election or two for that to happen.

“The bad apple will rot itself out eventually, no matter what side it’s on,” Lewis said.

“I say, we just need more young people involved in the political game or we’re doomed to have people much older than us make decisions for us.”

‘How can we get better?’

For Hannah Wilcox Burr, patriotism is about making a difference in other people’s lives at the end of the day.

But she buffers her optimism.

“I think it needs to be positive. I think it needs to be a uniting force. But unfortunately, the way our country is today, I don’t know if that’s going to be possible,” Wilcox Burr said.

The resident of Lexington’s Shriners neighborhood grew up in a Christian home, and, though she views herself as a person of faith, she said it helped her craft a perspective to strive for excellence and “strive to make the world a better place than when we found it.”

Within the country’s current social, political and cultural divide, the 31-year-old said there is a bigger problem if you aren’t allowing the differences you see to influence your perspective as an American.

“We should always be questioning, ‘How can we be better?’” she said.

Despite division, Wilcox Burr emphasized she is friends with people with different opinions and beliefs. Those differences do not affect their relationship.

“You’re allowed to have different opinions, you’re allowed to believe different things, you’re allowed to have stances on certain things that other people don’t have,” she said.

“But that doesn’t mean they’re wrong; that doesn’t mean you get to hate them for that,” she said.

Casting his first presidential vote

Seth Stevens’ family has been here for a while. Half of his family has been in the United States since slavery, while the other half immigrated from Germany before World War II.

Patriotism is pride for where you’re from, said the 21-year-old Transylvania University student.

“Nothing really more than that,” he said.

“Some people take it a step too far to where it gets into a competition with other places. I think it just means you’re proud of where you’re from, where your people come from.”

In November, Stevens will be voting in his first presidential election. He knows it’s a combative presidential campaign cycle.

“Both sides are rough, but I’m proud that we’re still able to somewhat have a choice in who we elect, because in other countries that’s not a possibility at all,” he said.

“As long as you look at what we’re able to do (and) achieve in the U.S. compared to other places, you have to be proud, or you have to be happy or content in our situation.”

Throughout his childhood, Stevens said he noticed that tragedies are the only things that have bridged differences and brought Americans together.

“I feel like we should be able to come together over other things,” he said.

“I’m hoping that can change. Maybe down the line, a leader comes up that can bring us together, but, as of right now, I think that’s wishful thinking.”

Setting aside political differences

Rajvir Datta sees patriotism as “less about the flag and more about the values.”

He said such American values as freedom and liberty, including the freedom of religion, are basic principles he values and is passing down to his daughters.

“If there are issues that are important to you, you make an effort to make your voice known and bring your kids [to be] involved in that practice so they learn and understand what that process is,” Datta said.

The 42-year-old from the Lexington’s Fairway neighborhood said he believes July Fourth is a way for Americans to come together regardless of individual beliefs.

“It’s one of those holidays that we put aside our political differences, social differences [and] religious differences, and we just come together as a community,” Datta said.

“The hope is that it’s a continuous spark for conversation.”

‘Sit and listen to each other’

Damesha Nealy defines patriotism as the ability to have good political leadership.

“The world is a wicked place, and we need people that are going to have us form more unity than divide us,” said the 30-year-old from Lexington’s Winburn neighborhood.

Nealy said morals and values can be shaken if they aren’t rooted in something with a strong foundation. For her, she finds stability within her strong Christian faith.

“We live in a world where sometimes a lot of things are exclusive,” Nealy said. “That’s not how the kingdom of God is. It’s inclusive if you want to receive Him, and I think that’s how we should view the world.”

Nealy said if people learned to put differences in beliefs aside, the country’s problems could be more easily solved.

“I think it’s a lot of chatter and a lot of noise,” she said. “We don’t take the time to actually sit and listen to each other and the problems we’re facing.”

‘Free to be me’

For Karen Zimmerman, patriotism equals freedom.

“Patriotism gives me the opportunity to worship wherever I want,” said the 78-year-old Oregon woman who was in Lexington visiting family. “I am free to live in any area I want to live in and free to be me.”

However, she said her views of patriotism have been buffeted by the current political climate.

“It’s swayed me and made me disappointed because of the hate, and believing you can solve problems by war,” Zimmerman said. “That war is the answer instead of peace.”

She said for Americans to set aside differences and come together in their beliefs, they must be more accepting of each other and the freedom we share.

“We live in a wonderful United States of America, so, (we must) be cognizant of that, but yet, be cognizant of other people who are not as fortunate as us.”