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On CNN’s The Arena this week, CNN contributor and New York Times podcast host Lulu Garcia‑Navarro said something that landed like cold water on a lot of liberal pundits: “We are raising a generation, especially in schools, where we do not teach them the value of civics, we do not teach them the value of engaging in a sense of patriotism.” She went further, arguing Democrats “have allowed Republicans to own patriotism” and that “if you see an American flag now, you are going to assume that that person is a Republican.” The panel’s host even asked, “Are we really there?” — and Garcia‑Navarro answered yes.
Garcia‑Navarro’s Claim: Not Just Talk
This is more than TV heat. The exchange on The Arena is the exact kind of moment conservatives have been making for years: patriotism and civic knowledge have become polarized. The clip has already been picked up by conservative outlets, because it mirrors what everyday voters feel. Whether you cheer or scoff at her wording, the claim is simple and testable: Americans are less uniformly proud, fewer kids learn civics well, and the flag has become a partisan symbol.
What the data actually says
It turns out Garcia‑Navarro wasn’t pulling facts from thin air. Gallup polling shows national pride has slid to levels we haven’t seen in decades, and the partisan gap is wide — Republicans report much higher pride than Democrats and independents. On the education side, NAEP civics and U.S. history scores show only a minority of students test at “proficient” or higher. In plain terms: fewer kids know how our system works, and public pride is fractured. That’s a bad combo for a free nation that relies on an informed electorate.
Blame, fixes, and what the left won’t say
Conservatives will rightly point fingers at the cultural shift on the left — the trend to question traditional symbols and to prioritize identity politics over shared civic values. Liberals should also own the policy side: many schools have reduced time for civics and U.S. history in favor of other priorities. But finger‑pointing alone won’t fix this. We need clear civics standards, required courses on Constitution and civic duty, more emphasis on local government, and yes — teaching what the flag stands for, not just how to critique it. Apparently we can teach students how to write a viral post, but not how to vote with eyes wide open.
Conclusion: Teach the facts, not just feelings
Garcia‑Navarro’s on‑air confession — that the flag now signals a party — should be a wake‑up call to both sides. If America means anything, it means a shared commitment to the rule of law, history, and civic duty. Restoring civics education and reclaiming patriotism from the politics of the moment isn’t partisan theater; it’s common sense. Schools, parents, and lawmakers should stop acting surprised and start teaching the next generation what it takes to preserve a free republic.
