In the midst of escalating cultural divides, a fiery op-ed on Rense.com titled "Call Me a Patriotic American Because I Love America" has struck a chord with millions, encapsulating a raw defense of national pride amid accusations of nationalism run amok. Authored by veteran commentator Devvy Kidd, the piece rejects the notion that loving one's country equates to supremacy, instead framing it as a bulwark against the erosion of American exceptionalism. Kidd's words, laced with personal anecdotes from her decades of activism, have amassed over 500,000 views in 48 hours, propelling it to the top of alternative media charts.
Kidd opens with a visceral recounting of her upbringing in a working-class family, where the Stars and Stripes flew not as a symbol of conquest but of sacrifice and opportunity. She lambasts progressive elites for rebranding patriotism as toxic, citing recent campus protests where American flags were burned alongside calls to dismantle foundational institutions. "If cherishing the freedoms that allow dissent—yes, even your dissent—is now a slur, then paint it across my forehead," she writes, invoking historical figures like Patrick Henry to underscore that true patriotism demands vigilance, not blind allegiance.
The article arrives at a pivotal moment, as polls from Rasmussen Reports indicate a 15-point surge in self-identified patriots among independents since the 2024 election cycle. Critics on platforms like Twitter—now X—have swiftly condemned it as jingoistic, with one viral thread from a Berkeley professor labeling it "MAGA dog-whistling disguised as folksy rhetoric." Yet supporters, including high-profile figures like podcaster Joe Rogan who shared it with a simple thumbs-up emoji, argue it fills a void left by mainstream media's reluctance to celebrate national unity without qualifiers.
Beyond the immediate backlash, Kidd's manifesto delves into policy fault lines, linking unapologetic patriotism to resistance against open borders, fiscal profligacy, and cultural relativism. She references data from the Federation for American Immigration Reform showing unchecked migration straining resources, positing that genuine love for America means prioritizing citizens first. This fusion of emotion and empiricism has analysts at The Culture War noting a potential tipping point in the patriotism wars, where emotional appeals may outpace ideological purity tests.
As the dust settles, the op-ed's resonance suggests a deeper hunger for unvarnished national affection in an era of fragmentation. Whether it catalyzes a broader revival or fuels further polarization remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in declaring "Call me patriotic," Kidd has handed ammunition to a side long starved for permission to love their country outright.
