The singer began his first sermon by expressing his concern and support for our service members in harm's way. Contrary to the claims made by Donald Trump and his supporters, Bruce Springsteen is not a communist who hates America, but an artist expressing a deep love for his country, especially the promise of equality that lies at its foundation.
Springsteen's version of patriotism is not blind, and he made it clear that he opposes Trump's military actions in Iran. To emphasize this point, he ended the address by counting the E Street Band into a cover of the anti-war anthem "War."
This was immediately followed by "Born in the U.S.A.," a song frequently misread by politicians since the Reagan era as a simple patriotic anthem. Springsteen's patriotism is more nuanced and demands confronting the country's failures so America can move closer to becoming the "Land of Hope and Dreams" celebrated in his music.
"You know that flag flying over the courthouse,
means certain things are set in stone:
Who we are, what we'll do, and what we won't."
-- Springsteen, "Long Walk Home"
The protagonist in "Born in the U.S.A." proudly served his country, but has been deeply damaged by war. He reenters civilian life in a changed society where promises of economic security for those willing to work hard have been abandoned. Documenting the plight of the working class at the hands of the powerful institutions is a theme he has pursued throughout his career.
Ironically, both Trump and Springsteen have tapped into the despair left behind in waves of economic change. Despite belonging to the same elite class that benefited from decades of upward wealth transfer, Trump successfully tapped into their fears. Springsteen appeals to their hope.
This positivity was on display throughout the night as "The Boss" powered through more than three hours of music, interrupted only by his conversations with the crowd. In these moments, he spoke about the many challenges facing our country under the current administration, but consistently returned to the message that Americans are strong enough to endure them. He argued that by working together, the nation can still find its way back on course. It was the first time in a long while that flag-waving did not make me feel uncomfortable.
"C'mon, rise up."
-- Springsteen, "The Rising"
As with any good worship service, I was filled with inspiration as the stage lights faded and the house lights came on. The night was a reminder that we are not alone in a sea of negative headlines; there is still a community of people searching for a path that will lead to a more perfect union.
This sense of brotherhood was emphasized as the Springsteen fan sitting next to us stood up to leave. He made a point of saying "goodbye" and welcoming us to the club. I could tell he was proud to share the magic he had experienced across the 79 shows he had attended.
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