Our Instructors
The Politics of Patriotism
Patriotism is rightly an expression of humble aspiration and hope, not an aggressive arrogance. My favorite line in any patriotic hymn is the stanza in America the Beautiful, “America, America, God mend thine every flaw.” Surely we can share admiration for our country’s extraordinary achievements, appreciation for the sacrifices made to protect those achievements, and hope to improve in those areas where we fall short. Our motto as patriots should not be “America: Love it or Leave it,” but “America: Love it and Improve it.”
Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem to protest police violence against African Americans, and was criticized by some for implicitly disrespecting veterans who fought for the flag. You may not even have noticed, but some members of the Campbell Hall choir mimicked Kaepernick’s gesture as they sang the national anthem at Homecoming; the whole front row of the choir knelt in a way that looked like simple performance staging rather than any kind of protest. I got word of possible kneeling earlier in the week and spoke to some of the students to discourage them gently from following through, from the perspective of the inclusive civic religion I describe above and also because “taking a knee” feels more and more like “taking the bait,” playing into the hands of those who would rather tweet invective at each other than engage in difficult dialogue.
I also acknowledged the complexities of the topic and the students’ right to protest non-violently, and my respect and love for them whatever they chose. Peaceful protest has a long and noble history in the church and in our country, and has its place in any community of inquiry. Punishing students for nonviolent acts of protest is not only a violation of their rights - it's also bad educational practice. We constantly preach self-reliance and taking responsibility to our students, so it would hardly make sense to discipline them for taking principled positions in good faith.
Other schools and institutions have been hugely distracted by this controversy; my hope is that we are better than that. Surely we may sing our hymns boldly and unironically and also acknowledge the compelling evidence that shows we are not yet a country with liberty and justice for all. We may be a proud and hopeful community, also acknowledging our flaws and asking for God’s help in trying to be better. What’s controversial about that?
Follow Julian on Twitter @cannonbull
I also acknowledged the complexities of the topic and the students’ right to protest non-violently, and my respect and love for them whatever they chose. Peaceful protest has a long and noble history in the church and in our country, and has its place in any community of inquiry. Punishing students for nonviolent acts of protest is not only a violation of their rights - it's also bad educational practice. We constantly preach self-reliance and taking responsibility to our students, so it would hardly make sense to discipline them for taking principled positions in good faith.
Other schools and institutions have been hugely distracted by this controversy; my hope is that we are better than that. Surely we may sing our hymns boldly and unironically and also acknowledge the compelling evidence that shows we are not yet a country with liberty and justice for all. We may be a proud and hopeful community, also acknowledging our flaws and asking for God’s help in trying to be better. What’s controversial about that?
Follow Julian on Twitter @cannonbull
Date Posted 
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valarie gardner11/6/2017 @ 12:42 PMYes, love it and improve it. We have to be a force for positive change. Thanks for your insight and eloquence.
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Jay Goss11/2/2017 @ 11:12 AMBeautifully said.
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Jill Samuel10/26/2017 @ 7:46 PMDear Reverend Bull, As always, I appreciate your thoughtful and very open approach to this topic and others. Happy to have your guidance for our family and the CH community!
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Jenni Gerber10/26/2017 @ 7:01 PMSo beautifully written...you make me quite proud to be apart of the Campbell Hall community. Thank you!
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Head of School Julian Bull
Follow on Twitter @cannonbull
Canon Bull earned his Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, his Master’s in Philosophy from Boston College, and his Master’s in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. He is an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. Prior to joining Campbell Hall in 2003, Canon Bull served as Head of Trinity Episcopal School in New Orleans and as the Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dean of Students, Chair of the Diversity Committee, and Director of the Senior Humanities Program at Albuquerque Academy. He has served on the Boards of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, the Independent School Association of the Southwest, St. James’ Episcopal School, the Louisiana Children’s Museum, the Steering Committee for the Los Angeles School Heads, the Studio City Neighborhood Council, and has chaired the last two search committees for bishops of Los Angeles. He currently serves as the Chair of the Commission on Schools of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and the Board of the Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education. He and his wife Katie have enjoyed raising their two sons as 13-year Campbell Hall students. Canon Bull enjoys tennis, hiking, and playing bridge in his spare time.
4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Studio City, CA 91607
Phone 818.980.7280
Phone 818.980.7280
Campbell Hall is an independent, Episcopal, K-12 all gender day school. We are a community of inquiry committed to academic excellence and to the nurturing of decent, loving, and responsible human beings.
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