Block-I chant portrays ‘neither patriotism nor remembrance’. Dailly Illini.
So says David Green, a University Academic professional at the University of Illinois, in a letter to the editor of the school paper. This over a group of students who chanted “USA, USA,” at a football game against the University of Southern Illinois on September 11, 2010.
A moment of silence was followed by a military airplane flyover; in between, Block-I students chanted “USA, USA.” This was neither patriotism nor remembrance in any justifiable sense, but politicization, militarism, propaganda and bellicosity. The University is a public institution that encompasses the political views of all, not just the most (falsely) “patriotic.” Athletic planners should cease such exploitation for political purposes. They might at least consider how most Muslim students, American or otherwise, would respond to this nativist display; or better, Muslims and others that live their lives under the threat of our planes, drones and soldiers.
How odd. Chanting, “USA, USA,” during a 09/11 moment of silence, seems reflexive, and yes, patriotic for Americans, irrespective of background. The respect and love for one’s country transcends politics and sensitivities. Particularly when thousands of lives were lost in Manhattan, D.C., and Shanksville. 09/11 is about what happened here in the United States. No false patriotism from students whose chant was spontaneous and emanated from within.
The overwhelmingly white, privileged, Block-I students should be ashamed of their obnoxious, fake-macho, chicken-hawk chant, while poverty-drafted members of their cohort fight and die in illegal and immoral wars for the control of oil. University administrators need to eliminate from all events such “patriotic” observances, which in this country cannot be separated from implicit justifications for state-sponsored killing.
Wow, who would have thought the take on a moment of silence for 09/11 was about wars for oil? Obviously the above writer who is entitled to his own interpretation of what 09/11 is all about, as well as how a public institution should observe an act of terror by foreigners on domestic soil. Flight of thought, perhaps.
U.S.A. continues to stand tall and proud Through all walks of life.
“Flags U.S.A.”
Image courtesy of http://www.governmentcontractsusa.com/about-us-en.jsp.
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