GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – As the nation gears up for the Fourth of July, a new Gallup poll revealed that American pride is at an all-time low.
The poll revealed that 58% of Americans felt “extremely’ or ‘very’ proud to be an American. That is the lowest percentage since the poll began in January 2001, when 87% of Americans said that they were extremely or very proud.
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Local 5 went into the Green Bay area to see how locals personally felt about the issue, and the results varied.
“I am proud to be an American but it is definitively a very challenging, polarizing time.”
Kory Wilkinson
“I wake up free, it’s a gorgeous country.”
Sam Dejardein
“Being an American is a struggle right now.”
Emma Ballison
“[I’m] quite proud, it’s where I’ve always been.”
Aden Weber
“Pride is going to be a challenging word for me.”
Michele Dicke said, “
At least in terms of Green Bay, people’s personal preferences are similarly polarized as the poll suggested.
Local 5 spoke with UW-Green Bay Professor Phil Clampitt, who said politics have shaped people’s identity, hurting communication, comparing American politics to NFL fandom.
“Identity is so wrapped up in politics that I can’t even talk to your group because you are of a different political persuasion,” Professor Clampitt said. “It’s almost like Bear and Packer fans can’t talk to each other even though they both love football.”
Although there is an obvious division, Wilkinson expressed hope for the future, stating that America has gotten through tough times before.
“It’s been hard and it’s always gonna be, there are issues all over the place,” Wilkinson said. “But we always manage to get around and get through it.”
Dicke said unity will happen when younger generations are included in conversations.
“My generation is doing the same thing we complained about in our teens and twenties,” Dicke said. “We are holding onto power and not sharing it with anybody.”
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While the poll indicated that a slight majority of Americans feel some or a lot of pride in their nation, it’s clear that things are different nowadays.
Click here to read the full results of the poll.
