Sarah never liked the idea of America. Through her childhood she always viewed her nation’s flag as a symbol of international bullying and exorbitant pride.

Yet Sarah’s outlook changed in the past few weeks. The flag has taken on new meaning for her. Rather than as a representation of a misguided government, she has seen the stars and stripes bind people together like nothing else can.

Quite possibly, the time since September 11 exhibits the largest growth in American flag sales ever. Nationalism surges through this nation and its effects appear almost everywhere. With few words of praise for Bush and very few star-spangled banners, a notable exception to this rule is the Pomona College campus.

Many horrible acts occur as a direct result of nationalistic ideas, and this country deals with them everyday. However, in the effort to distance the school from violence and ignorance associated with patriotism, students also lose the unity and sacrifice that comes with a strong sense of community.

Many students have good reason not to fly the flag. In the time since the terrorist attack, pacifistic protestors in Washington State have faced verbal assault, an Indian-American doctor has been suspended in Florida for an expression of discontent with the country, and numerous other discomforting instances have occurred.

Additionally, the nation and the Bush administration have become deified through the media and over-usage of the song, "God Bless America." This act immediately estranges many people with strong religious backgrounds who otherwise support the nation’s actions.

Outside of Pomona, though, a variety of very intelligent people continue to adopt the idea of nationalism for a number of reasons, not the least of which are unity and sacrifice.

Through prayer services and candlelight vigils the nation came together like never before. Everyone, including students on campus, openly share hugs, stories and tears. In many places, the healing continues as the shock only now fades away.

The sacrifice made by so many firefighters and civilians to save the lives of others present an incredible tale. Many men and women open their hearts and homes to those suffering in this time. Truly, some amazing stories come out of the tragedy.

With these ideas in mind, what makes the atmosphere of Pomona so different that students can’t identify with the nationalism around the rest of the nation? Most likely, the answer lies in the lack of connection between the college and the surrounding community, an effect commonly known as the Claremont bubble.

Initially, Pomona’s efforts to come together and respond to the tragedy paralleled if not exceeded those in the rest of the nation. Money contributions during meals and a strong effort to make students donate blood help nurture a sense of sacrifice in the college community. Also, the multiple meetings in regard to the tragedy attempt to nurture openness and comfort on campus. However, these have often dwindled to forums for political action rather than emotional responses.

Despite efforts to induce the positive aspects of nationalism such as community and sacrifice, students here quickly fall back into the routine of study, eat, party, and sleep. In the process, New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania are too soon forgotten. Because of the Claremont bubble, an unawareness to the outside world becomes easier and easier.

While the college doesn’t experience considerable amounts of racism towards Arab-Americans or religious worship of the nation, students must make the effort not to lose touch with what occurs outside of campus.

To accomplish this task requires an effort on both the personal and college-wide scale. Individually, students can subscribe to newspapers, or at the least, read news online to get in touch with the greater community. They can also get involved outside the bubble through volunteer activities and political activism.

Pomona as a whole needs to become part of Claremont, and campus organizations can help connect students to the neighborhood and city surrounding the campus by planning events that focus on community involvement.

This past month has been a struggle for everyone in America, but at the college, students mustn’t block out the larger trials and tribulations the rest of the world confront everyday. Perhaps the next time a tragedy usurps the city, nation, or world, Pomona won’t remain inside the Claremont bubble and will instead become an active part of the greater community.