Patronage: The Right and Wrong Time

Prompt: Blog on Mailer

September 11, 2001, was the beginning of a different America. Everyday before this tragic event occurred, freedom and safety were taken lightly; there was no reason to worry, for nothing catastrophic had happened in the country in a long time. Individuals left the safety of their homes each morning for work and sent their children off to school, without the fear that that may in fact, be the last time they will ever get the chance to see each other again. Each and every one of these individuals knew, of course, that they lived in the United States of America, but that was obvious and there was no need to parade around patronizing where they lived.

In Norman Mailer’s book, Why Are We At War?, Mailer stated that after the cataclysmic event which took place, “nearly everyone in America was flying a flag”. Mailer claimed that, seeing thousands of Americans suddenly running out to buy an American flag to hang at their doorstep, greatly upset him. Also claiming that the sudden stream of patriotism shown, was just another way of hiding the anxiety the people actually felt.

I agree, in a sense, with Mailer on this topic; however, I can see both sides of the situation. For instance, it is true that only when something immense happens that people suddenly become huge patriots, showing the world how much they are behind their country. This is the same situation as people simply living life day by day until something horrible and life altering occurs, testing their faith. Suddenly everyone becomes religious, even those who have never gone to church a day in their lives; this outbreak is a little hypocritical. I can also see why people might choose to fly a flag or show their religion in a time of need, because most people are guilty of this at one point or another anyway, even if it is a less of an importance. Maybe a possible reason for showing great patronage in, for example a terrorist attack, would be to show the people responsible for the act, that we, as a nation, are not going to stand for it, “united we stand”.

In any situation such as September 11, there are going to be many changes throughout the nation as a direct result. Whether it be a war to prove that America does not allow people to walk all over it without severe consequences, a slight loss of freedom within its own walls, or individuals suddenly coming together, in what was not there before, a greater patronage.