Washington Post contributor, children's book author
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
It’s an existential question: Can an American be shy?
We used to mess with modesty. We used to admit mistakes. We took our lumps. Those days are done.
Our pride is permanent fanfare now.
Exceptional. Enshrined.
Embodied in a prating President, and cranked up extra loud.
Those who hear us have to be convinced. We’re first in the world, we claim — and we believe. The more we thump our chest the more we like the sound: Our kids. Our family. Our flag.
I know I’m good. We are the best. USA rules.
To be American, these days, is to pound on a drum. Bim, bam, bang. Our king-of-the-jungle beat.
My kid did this. Now, hear me roar.
Advertisement
We’ve got a national vibe: a steady vamp of self-esteem. It’s only natural to crow. Is this a sign of health? Our pumping heart? Psychologists, or some at least, say yes.
So, up with us.
We win. We dominate. We rule.
Modesty has died. You hadn’t noticed? Its quiet nature made it marginal. It caught a cold. It stayed in bed. Our fireworks and gunshots killed it off.
The thing we once called manners is sounding quaint. A seersucker suit. A hat tip. A part of the time when people worried about being rude. About becoming — can you remember? — a bore.
Advertisement
The “aw, shucks” heroes who bowed their heads. They’re pushing daisies. Sent to the dugout to sit by Sweet Lou Gehrig. Lost the election along with Silent Cal. All gone.
So now we’re healthy braggarts. Want to see our selfies? Check out our website. Buy our self-published book.
Others’ gains are easy to forget. We’re not in public a lot, and when we are we’re in our stickered cars:
I Love My Honor Student. I Heart My SUV. Alumni of Princeton Onboard.
Think this is a stretch? Let me tell you: I am confident it’s right. This blog is key. The argument acute. The writing is stylish, sublime.
Advertisement
I know I’m good. Don’t bother me with flak. My colors do not run.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
