Patriotism
by Genevieve Petty

America...
Land of the free,
Home of the brave.
We're proud of our country,
So patriotic.
America is the greatest country in the world.
The melting pot...
Manifest destiny...
America from sea to shining sea.

Yes, patriotism is very important.
We want to think well of ourselves...
We want to think well of our country.
Our history books cloud over the truth -
Preferring to tout American superiority
To the impressionable minds of young children.
Yes, we have to do it this way,
Because we want to forget who truly founded this
Land of the free and home of the brave.

We'd like to forget the convicts,
Shipped here so Mother Europe could be rid of them;
We'd like to forget the poverty stricken,
Who came as indentured servants;
We'd like to forget the scum of Europe,
Who weren't wanted back home.

We tout our Judeo-Christian ethic--
But don't tell the children that the pilgrims and puritans
Were really religious fanatics,
As much "cult" as Korech,
Unconventional, unorthodox beliefs
Weren't tolerated in the mother country,
Or anywhere else in Europe.

Don't dare tell them the truth about
"From sea to shining sea".
And the bodies
Of those who were here when the white man arrived,
That lay strewn in his path.
"The only good Indian is a dead Indian".
But does not the Declaration protect those of different race?
Yes, Columbus discovered America,
And there were people already here.
But don't tell anyone,
Because that would ruin our illusions.

And don't forget the slaves,
Who were shipped like cattle from their homes,
To serve the white man's need.

And I'm proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I'm free,
And I'm proud of our glorious heritage,
Of robbing the Indians,
Our heretical beliefs,
And our convicts' blood.
Yes, I'm proud to be an American.