I know there are some that may not believe me when I say that I love my country. In contrast, I know there are some that will argue there is nothing to love about it.
I turn to my right and the fascists will ask, “How can you say you love this country with all of your irritations and all of the issues you constantly point out and complain about?”
While on my left another will cynically ask in disgust, “What’s to love about this ‘great’ nation with all of its problems and constant unrest?”
I turn to my right and the fascists will ask, “How can you say you love this country with all of your irritations and all of the issues you constantly point out and complain about?”
While on my left another will cynically ask in disgust, “What’s to love about this ‘great’ nation with all of its problems and constant unrest?”
I am an American that is also a proud Chicana. Born of Mexican parents, raised on American soil, in the sparkling city by the sea. Fed a constant stream of Siempre en Domingo con Raul Velasco and MTV with Martha Quinn and Mark Goodman. I am an American through and through with a Chicana twist and some Mexican flavor, whether some believe it, like it, or care to acknowledge it. Living in duality is something I, like many, have done since the day we were born. So being able to criticize AND love my country is just another form of duality to add to my existence.
This country is filled with beautiful, hardworking, kind, caring, compassionate people that are my friends and family, and some I don’t even know personally. It is filled with good people born here, that immigrated here and emigrated here and it’s because of all of them that make up this country that I love it. I live here. I’ve made a home here and I am trying my damndest to make it a better place for my kids. I am not blind to the goodness that this country has afforded me. I cannot be ignorant to the advancements this country has helped me and my family. Yes, it is true, I am my ancestor's wildest dreams. And, yes, my ancestors fought like hell for me to be here; on this land, with these gifts, prosperous and more. I cannot deny and must acknowledge the opportunities I have been able to take advantage of.
So, if there is such love why raise a fist in the air in animosity and protest? Once again, because I love this country.
It’s BECAUSE I love my country that I can acknowledge there is an abundance of problems and issues we need to make right. It’s BECAUSE I love my country that I can look at it and acknowledge its flaws in hopes to fix them, change them, grow from them, heal them to come to something new and so much more improved. I wouldn’t be fighting so damn hard to find, face, and fix those issues if I didn’t love my country.
It’s BECAUSE I love my country that I refuse to let it be run by the few that care more for the green lining of their pockets than for its people.
It’s BECAUSE I love my country that I refuse to let the few in power that are a strain on it and its democracy, and their deplorable followers that have been emboldened to crawl out from their dwellings of hate, be a representation of it.
It’s BECAUSE I love my country that I can acknowledge there is an abundance of problems and issues we need to make right. It’s BECAUSE I love my country that I can look at it and acknowledge its flaws in hopes to fix them, change them, grow from them, heal them to come to something new and so much more improved. I wouldn’t be fighting so damn hard to find, face, and fix those issues if I didn’t love my country.
It’s BECAUSE I love my country that I refuse to let it be run by the few that care more for the green lining of their pockets than for its people.
It’s BECAUSE I love my country that I refuse to let the few in power that are a strain on it and its democracy, and their deplorable followers that have been emboldened to crawl out from their dwellings of hate, be a representation of it.
I wholeheartedly acknowledge I come from and live in a very privileged bubble that allows me to feel and know that love. I realize right now in the era of #45 (for some it has been much longer than just now) it is hard to celebrate it, acknowledge it’s good and may feel more disconnected and shackled.
With years of oppression and unjust systems and policies in place with little to no progress while too many die without reason, how can one memorialize that which binds them and kills them? I understand it wholly.
I not only see you but empathize with you and your pain, your rage, and unrest. Yes, there is no doubt, it is a nation with flaws, scars, and deep-rooted issues that need healing, improving, and radical, nerve-shocking to the core changing. Know that there are many of us who are fighting today’s revolution with you and for you. Resisting along with you. Resisting for liberation. Resisting for equity. Resisting for identity. Resisting for our Earth. Resisting for access. Resisting for dreams. Resisting for freedom from violence. Resisting for justice.
With years of oppression and unjust systems and policies in place with little to no progress while too many die without reason, how can one memorialize that which binds them and kills them? I understand it wholly.
I not only see you but empathize with you and your pain, your rage, and unrest. Yes, there is no doubt, it is a nation with flaws, scars, and deep-rooted issues that need healing, improving, and radical, nerve-shocking to the core changing. Know that there are many of us who are fighting today’s revolution with you and for you. Resisting along with you. Resisting for liberation. Resisting for equity. Resisting for identity. Resisting for our Earth. Resisting for access. Resisting for dreams. Resisting for freedom from violence. Resisting for justice.
This 4th of July isn’t one for carefree celebrations for so many reasons. A pandemic, Civil unrest in the streets. Families separated with their kids in cages. There is a lot to work on. However, through the work, I do still celebrate it.
Like any other day, I celebrate and love my country today, on its national holiday, like the radical act of defiance and rebellion that was the nation’s independence — by fighting to improve her every day.
Like any other day, I celebrate and love my country today, on its national holiday, like the radical act of defiance and rebellion that was the nation’s independence — by fighting to improve her every day.