A Yale Law School professor, Akhil Reed Amar, urged students to embrace patriotism amid falling national pride, especially on the political left. Speaking in an interview with The Free Press, Amar said, “Yes, I do [love America], and you should.” He compared his life in the U.S. favorably to the circumstances his immigrant parents experienced in India.
Amar argued that today’s America surpasses many earlier eras. He highlighted improvements, noting that “America in 2025 seems more impressive—more perfect, if you will—than America seemed in, say, 1825 or 1925”. He even framed the U.S. border wall in a positive light, contrasting it with walls of authoritarian regimes, saying, “the wall is to keep people out because people want to come here, as opposed to the Soviet Union and Eastern Germany…”.
In addressing students wrestling with critiques of American history, Amar encouraged balanced reading. He said, “students should read both critiques and defenses of America and decide for themselves.” His own books aim to present “America’s biggest lapses and America’s greatest triumphs”.
His appeal comes during a notable slump in national pride. A June 2025 Gallup poll found only 41% of Generation Z adults are “extremely proud,” while an additional 17% are “very proud” — a combined 58%. This marks the lowest level recorded since tracking began in 2001.
