For Some Black Americans, Love Of Country Means Holding It Accountable
When Timothy Berry decided to attend the U.S. Military Academy West Point, patriotism was one of his driving factors. He describes it as an active verb, not merely "a flag waving."
"I have always had a profound appreciation for what this country has said its ideals are," Berry said. "But being a Black American, in particular, one that served in uniform, I've quickly realized that there were just a lot of contradictions in there."
Berry served as class president at West Point in 2013, one of few Black class presidents in the military academy's history. He now lives in New York and is a co-founder of Collaborate and Graduate, a nonprofit aimed at increasing representation in the military officer ranks.
"I think for Black veterans in particular, once you go overseas and you get back here, it's something you just can't get over, when things aren't the way they should be," he said. "There are countless examples of shortcomings that this country has had, and ways it needs to get better."
Just one-quarter of Black voters describe themselves as "proud" of the state of America today, compared by and Siena College. A little more than 6 in 10 Black voters say they feel "hopeful" about the state of the country. More than 8 in 10 Black voters say they feel "exhausted."
