Interview transcript

“I” = interviewer. “P” = participant.

I           Sounds good . . . So tell me about this shirt.

P          Uh well it’s uh . . . a bald eagle with, in the colors and the design of an American flag. It’s quite cool.

I           And what appealed to you about it when you were thinking about buying it.

P          It combines two of my favorite things, the American flag and the bald eagle . . . [laughs] basically, so yeah, and you know it’s a very patriotic shirt and I’m currently serving in the Marine Corps reserve so, you know, that means a lot to me.

I           And uh, does it make you feel a certain way when you’re wearing it?

P          Yeah, patriotic, you know just prideful of my country, you know, things like that. There’s nothing wrong with it. I think unfortunately today there’s a lot of people who don’t believe . . . who believe that patriotism and nationalism go hand in hand and while I don’t necessarily agree with nationalism, patriotism is kinda you know . . . patriotism I think is a good thing.

I           What does it mean for you, patriotism?

P          It means that you have a love of country, uh, it means that you know you do acknowledge that you know America’s not perfect you know, it’s . . . but it’s certainly the best country on earth. There’s a reason why so many people want to come to this country, millions, you know, throughout the entire history of, of America, they’ll . . . everyone . . . different groups, so there’s a reason for it. And you know, we have the most freedoms, we have a lot of rights and privileges that other people just don’t have.

I           And do you think it communicates that message, the shirt?

P          I would hope so. I would hope so.

I           How do you think it would do that?

P          Uh, because America’s supposed to be like, uh, number one and I got handed something “make America great again” [participant is handed something by a passerby] I’m sorry, what was the question?

I           Uh, uh, how do you think it projects that message, that it communicates that message?

P          I just think that when people see the red white and blue they think of America, they think of freedom, um you know in my opinion, the Fourth of July is every day [laughs], so . . .

I           Can I ask you three quick demographic questions, and then we can wrap up?

P          Sure.

I           Are you willing to share your age?

P          Uh, I am 20

I           And I think you said you are a member of the armed forces?

P          Yessir.

I           And in the Marine Corps reserve, you said?

P          Yessir

I           And then, uh, where would you describe yourself as falling on the political spectrum?

P          I’m definitely on the right on the right spectrum, uh, I would identify as Republican.

I           OK. That’s all I got. You got any other comments you want to make?

P          America’s number one!

• Interview details

  Designated protest park, Republican Nat'l Convention, 19 July 2016. Cleveland, OH. Interview and photos by Brian Larson.