The sign is clearly provocative—it’s meant to signal a particular kind of patriotism, but it ends up being exclusionary. While the bar manager frames it as encouraging national pride, the wording “If you’re not proud to be an American, do not bother to come in” implicitly sets a rigid standard for what counts as “proud” and who belongs.
This creates a few issues:
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Exclusion of certain groups: People who have valid criticisms of the country, or who feel marginalized, might feel unwelcome. The sign could unintentionally—or intentionally—signal that only a certain demographic is fully accepted.
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Chilling effect on diversity: Even if the bar wants to be patriotic, alienating non-white patrons or anyone who feels differently about patriotism can reduce inclusivity.
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Social media backlash: In today’s connected world, such messaging spreads quickly and can create a public relations problem.
In short, while patriotism itself isn’t controversial, the delivery here is—using the sign as a gatekeeping tool rather than a celebration of community tends to provoke division rather than unity.
If you want, I can suggest a way the bar could keep a patriotic theme without making people feel unwelcome. Do you want me to do that?