Happy Birthday, Proud Neighbors!

One can sense a hint of sad disappointment in Gallup’s new “insight” revealing that this year, the percentage of U.S. adults who are “extremely proud” to be American is steady at a mere 41%, hovering just above the low of 38% recorded in 2022.

In my opinion, this isn’t necessarily a bad sign. Being “proud” of any nationality is about as meaningful as being proud of having been born on a Tuesday. This might actually suggest a more advanced worldview and a higher level of educational attainment among those less inclined to this type of national pride. For instance, the percentage of U.S. adults with at least a bachelor’s degree has grown steadily, from 26% in 2000 to 37% in 2020.

Gallup further breaks down the patriotic sentiment by political affiliation: Republicans lead with 59% feeling extremely proud, compared to 36% of independents and 34% of Democrats. If we look at the demographic data, we see that 27% of Republicans, 26% of independents, and 39% of Democrats hold a graduate degree or higher. The inverted correlation is obvious.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that a higher percentage of women than men have at least a bachelor’s degree. Is it a coincidence that we hear a lot about “proud boys” but not “proud girls”?

On a lighter note, let’s put aside statistics and celebrate the spirit of independence and freedom. Despite the current challenges in American politics, with Trump, Biden, and the Supreme Court keeping the Founding Fathers Facepalmed, it’s still time to come together. Happy July 4th to our southern neighbours—enjoy the fireworks and festivities!

Happy Birthday, America!

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