Although there are many other issues affecting Americans currently, I begin to wonder whether patriotism is understood or practiced by what I view as a formidable mob of Americans specifically, and some other Americans generally. The mob mindset does not reflect the values expressed in the American anthem sung at schools to be impressed on young minds, at sporting events, and whenever the opportunity arises. The saying – “repetition leads to learning” apparently does not apply to everyone.
In South Africa, the country of my birth, the singing of an in-power racist ‘Nationalist’ Party anthem was enforced in schools as, what I believe, a propaganda tool promoting a ‘separate but equal ideology – equity and justice was non-existent. I did not believe that the then marginalized South Africans of color, myself included, could ever internalize the concept of patriotism and belonging to a country because of a birthright, and would therefore be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the country. However, things have changed and especially our millennials, those born in a democratic South Africa, could be true patriots. However, the adopted national anthem, which I perceive as part of the then conditions for the founding of a pre-democratic South African Government of National Unity, I feel needs change.
However, the mob does not think, does not reason, but blindly follows the loudest voice. Like lemmings, they will leap into the void to their deaths. Intelligence has no place in a mob – it is a requirement that the mob is mindless to succeed at objectives, often not even its own, but led to believe it is so by that voice.”
By: Dr. Andrew Wentzel
As a school lecturer in the closing decade of Apartheid, he protected his students from state-ordered mayhem. He has been an eyewitness to the transition from authoritarianism to democracy.