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> The irony of history—one that Miller might well have appreciated—is that in promoting Winthrop’s sermon, he caused it to become the key statement of all that

by _bxg1 7y ago

> The irony of history—one that Miller might well have appreciated—is that in promoting Winthrop’s sermon, he caused it to become the key statement of all that he most feared and lamented. In the years to come, Winthrop’s “city upon a hill” sermon would become “the shining city on a hill” of President Reagan: a celebration of individual freedom, material prosperity, and American power This is the problem with nationalistic rhetoric. Because it is about a place, and not about any real principle in particular, it easily spirals out of control (with vigor!) in whichever random (or maliciously designed) direction. It's like gasoline without a container: some of it may make it into the engine and move things forward, but it's just as likely to light everything on fire.

microcolonel 7y ago
> This is the problem with nationalistic rhetoric. Because it is about a place, and not about any real principle in particular, it easily spirals out of control (with vigor!) in whichever random (or maliciously designed) direction. A nation is not merely a place, and America is a nation based on principles; mere loyalty to the abstract of the territory is not recognizably American.
- _bxg1 7y ago
  America is a word, and a place, and a group of people, and a government. All of these are fallible. Everything beyond these is subjective and constantly in flux. "American Values" have meant countless different things to different people at different times. Like Miller you can try to wrap them up in a coherent story, but it will eventually reveal itself to be at best incomplete, at worst delusional. If you want to advocate for values then advocate for values, not Americana. The concept of Americana does not exist in any concrete reality, and can (and will) be co-opted by whichever politician, or corporation, or individual, who can use it for their own ends. By stoking the flames one is only sharpening a weapon that can be used by anybody, for anything.

by _bxg1 7y ago

microcolonel 7y ago

> This is the problem with nationalistic rhetoric. Because it is about a place, and not about any real principle in particular, it easily spirals out of control (with vigor!) in whichever random (or maliciously designed) direction. A nation is not merely a place, and America is a nation based on principles; mere loyalty to the abstract of the territory is not recognizably American.

_bxg1 7y ago
America is a word, and a place, and a group of people, and a government. All of these are fallible. Everything beyond these is subjective and constantly in flux. "American Values" have meant countless different things to different people at different times. Like Miller you can try to wrap them up in a coherent story, but it will eventually reveal itself to be at best incomplete, at worst delusional. If you want to advocate for values then advocate for values, not Americana. The concept of Americana does not exist in any concrete reality, and can (and will) be co-opted by whichever politician, or corporation, or individual, who can use it for their own ends. By stoking the flames one is only sharpening a weapon that can be used by anybody, for anything.