I have a deep affection for my country. I cherish the stunning variety of its landscapes and the richness of its diverse population. I admire the principles of a government that is representative, accountable, and serves its people. I value the carefully crafted balance of powers within our system and the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution.
However, I grapple with complex feelings about our nation’s origins, as anyone with a sense of morality would. I respect the bravery and determination of our founding figures while also denouncing their colonial actions. I applaud their political creativity but detest their ties to white supremacy. As a character in a popular musical remarked regarding Thomas Jefferson—both the author of the Declaration of Independence and a slave owner—“He can have written this incredible document with things that we all believe in. And he sucks! Those are both true.”
America embodies both the finest and the most troubling aspects of human nature. It has never been flawless, yet it strives to improve, which is why I hold it dear.
The America I cherish truly opens its arms to the exhausted, the impoverished, and the restless souls yearning for freedom. It is a nation built by immigrants and their descendants, all in pursuit of a better life and a brighter future. It endeavors to fulfill its lofty promises of “liberty and justice for all” and “out of many, one.” It takes two steps forward for every setback it faces. While the America I love is not perfect, it is a country that makes an effort. That is the belief I’ve always held and sought to instill in my children.
Yet, something feels different now. The ground beneath us has shifted. I witness our system’s foundations being tested like never before. I see the principle of “liberty and justice for all” being systematically dismantled for those who have lived here for most of their lives, led by someone who would likely fail a basic citizenship test. I hear voices from minority and marginalized communities expressing that they have never truly enjoyed the promises of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” and I hear these claims mocked by those in power who could effect change.
I observe white supremacy gaining confidence and the gap between rich and poor widening. I see leaders intent on regressing to some vague time when America was deemed “great” without ever clarifying when that was. I notice a troubling prioritization of tax cuts over the healthcare needs of millions. I see an administration that alienates allies and aims to isolate us from a collaborative global community. Partisan politics seem to be tearing apart our institutions and eroding our humanity.
Selfishness and bigotry have always existed, but I don’t recall a time in my life when I questioned the survival of the America I hold dear. I’ve never felt such humiliation about my nationality as I do now.
How can I teach my children to respect the Presidency when it currently embodies unchecked nationalism, questionable appointments, and undignified behavior? How can I instill in them pride and gratitude for being American when everything that our country represents seems to be falling apart?
The United States was built on the belief that there exists a better way to govern. The founding documents were intentionally left open-ended, recognizing that their authors did not have all the answers. The beauty of America lies in its structure designed to protect us from tyranny, offering the freedom and flexibility to evolve and enact necessary changes. It once seemed like an infallible system, but I now harbor doubts.
I am weary of feeling as if I’ve lost the America I once knew and loved. I’m exhausted from explaining to my children that this isn’t how it should be. I want them to know and love the America that has always filled my heart with pride. I want to reclaim my country.
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In summary, while my love for America remains strong, the current state of our nation presents challenges that make it difficult to instill the same appreciation in my children. The ideals that once defined our country seem to be eroding, and I yearn for a return to the America I cherish.
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