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In the Wake of the 2026 Midterms, Can We Reframe the Patriotic Song?
Brandy Clark’s “American Roots” asks who gets to claim the American flag and the idea of patriotism, presenting both as belonging to everyone, including immigrants. After Democratic gains in the 2026 midterms, the article considers whether country and roots artists can reshape patriotic music, which has often been tied to exclusionary politics.
Clark says the song aims to create common ground between people who may disagree, with its central image that land belongs no more to one person than another. Iraq war veteran Michael Trotter Jr. and Sheryl Crow also criticise the use of patriotism as a partisan label, while a recent Newport Folk Festival performance of “America the Beautiful” was introduced as an effort to “take back” the song.
In short
- Brandy Clark’s new song presents patriotism as inclusive.
- Artists challenge the partisan use of patriotic symbols.
- “American Roots” seeks common ground across disagreement.
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The case for
Patriotic songs can make belonging feel broader by affirming that immigrants and people across political divides share in the country’s civic life. Artists such as Clark argue that the flag and national ideals need not belong to any one party, and that familiar musical traditions can invite common ground.
The case against
Reframing patriotic music can risk turning shared national symbols into vehicles for a new partisan message, even when the aim is inclusion. Some may feel that language about “taking back” a song or symbol replaces one political claim with another, and that patriotism is better expressed through performances that leave its meaning open to listeners.
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