Patriotism is a complex emotion. It is an expression of love and loyalty to one’s country, but it also demands a reckoning with the contradictions that shape a nation’s history. Nowhere is this complexity more evident than in the story of the Boston Tea Party—a moment celebrated as an act of defiance and courage, yet one deeply intertwined with appropriation, exploitation, and erasure.
On a cold December evening in 1773, the Sons of Liberty, dressed as Native Americans, stormed British tea ships and dumped their cargo into Boston Harbor. This audacious act of rebellion is etched into the annals of American history as a foundational moment in the fight for liberty. Yet, as a Black man living in America in 2025, I find myself grappling with the contradictions embedded in this event and what it means for our understanding of patriotism. The freedom of our nation is a story of rebellion and courage, but it is also a story of appropriation—of using the identities of others to mask our flaws and advance our cause. Patriotism and the Masks of Liberty When the Sons of Liberty disguised themselves as Native Americans, their intent was both practical and symbolic. In the tight-knit community of 18th-century Boston, the costumes provided anonymity. But they also sent a powerful message. By dressing in what they perceived as “Indian dress”—painting their faces with soot, donning wool blankets, and wielding hatchets they called tomahawks—they sought to sever their connection to Britain and forge a new identity as “Americans.” Yet, this act of symbolic defiance was built on the appropriation and objectification of Indigenous peoples. The Sons of Liberty didn’t dress as Native Americans out of respect or solidarity. Instead, they reduced Native identity to a caricature, exploiting it to convey their rebellion while erasing the real struggles of Indigenous communities who were already facing displacement and violence at the hands of colonial settlers. This is where patriotism becomes complex. While the Sons of Liberty’s actions were undeniably courageous, their use of Native imagery reveals a troubling hypocrisy. They fought for liberty and self-determination but denied those same rights to others, appropriating Indigenous identity without regard for its deeper meaning. Freedom for Some, Erasure for Others The Boston Tea Party highlights a pattern that has persisted throughout American history: the ideals of liberty and justice are often proclaimed loudly, but their application has been selective. The Sons of Liberty’s vision of freedom did not include Native peoples, enslaved Africans, or women. These groups were excluded from the promise of “liberty and justice for all,” even as their identities, labor, and cultures were exploited to build the very foundations of this nation. Patriotism, then, must contend with these contradictions. It is not enough to celebrate the courage of the Sons of Liberty without also acknowledging the harm their actions caused. Their rebellion laid the groundwork for a nation that would become a beacon of freedom, but it also perpetuated patterns of exploitation and erasure that continue to shape the lives of marginalized communities today. The Complexity of Patriotism Today In 2025, the complexity of patriotism remains as relevant as ever. As a Black man, I love this country and its ideals, but I also see how far we are from fully realizing them. The rhetoric of freedom and justice often masks the systemic inequalities that persist. Just as the Sons of Liberty used Native identity as a disguise, modern institutions often cloak inequity behind the language of progress and inclusion. Patriotism requires us to grapple with these contradictions. It is not blind allegiance to the myths of our past but a commitment to understanding and addressing the truths they obscure. True patriotism demands that we honor the courage of rebellion while also confronting the harm it has caused. It asks us to love our country enough to hold it accountable and to work toward a future that lives up to its highest ideals. Reckoning with the Past, Reimagining the Future The story of the Boston Tea Party is one of rebellion and courage, but it is also a story of appropriation and erasure. By confronting this complexity, we can begin to reimagine what patriotism looks like in America. It is not about choosing between pride and critique but about embracing both—the pride in what we have achieved and the critique that drives us to do better. If we are to honor the legacy of the Sons of Liberty, we must expand their vision of liberty to include everyone. Patriotism in 2025 must be a force for inclusion, not exclusion; a celebration of diversity, not a mask for erasure. Only by reckoning with the full complexity of our history can we build a nation where liberty is not a privilege but a reality for all. The Boston Tea Party reminds us that freedom is worth fighting for, but it also challenges us to ask: Freedom for whom, and at what cost? That is the question patriotism must answer—not just in 1773, but today and for generations to come.
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February 2025
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