I know I'm in trouble when I start a blog, "You might get angry, but please keep reading." But you might, and I hope you do--hear me out, that is.
I am a product of the United States. I was born here, had a child here. I attended school in the United States, took Government class in high school, and loved it so much, I majored in Political Science in college. I have run for political office in the United States, and have been known, on occasion, to wear red, white, and blue on the 4th of July.
But things about this country, done in the name of this country, make me squirm uncomfortably. Many people, claiming to be patriots, have done a disservice to this country--have made her appear to be so much less than she really is. When I see people wearing red, white, and blue hats, shirts, whatever, and they're screaming hatred at whomever will listen, I want to deny I'm from here. There are people who wave the flag of this country, and DEMAND that I pledge allegiance. They make me want to run the other way.
But by far the worst are those who utter one of the most heinous sentences ever crafted in this country: "America--love it or leave it." I think I was about 10 when I heard those words thrown about, and I remember cringing, as if I had been physically assaulted. Then, and now, I wondered who the real patriot was; if the majority of Americans were in agreement with this absolute, or if there was some room for compromise.
I grew up with America, moved into the 21st century with her. I love America, but I'm ready for a more adult relationship with her. I'm not the blind, trusting kid I once was; I'm ready for adult discussions and adult feelings.
I know a lot about America--I've read alot about her, heard some of her history. I've read her Declaration of Independence, her Constitution. I think some of the information about America has been embellished, and I think she's taken steps to hide her more sordid past. But the fact that I know about these things, and still want to love America--isn't that part of being in a real relationship?
America has done some bad things, very bad. She's apologized--sincerely--and I am going to take her at her word--that she'll never repeat slavery, internment camps, forced relocation, extermination. I would like to help her overcome her addiction to denial of basic human rights; she's made great strides (just look at her Amendments!), but she knows she has some work to do. I do want to help; that's part of being in an adult relationship, isn't it?
I left America once--I went to live with another country for three years. I think it helped my relationship with America. People in the new country were curious about America; they asked questions about her, wanted to know what she was like. People of the other country had opinions about America, so we had a great discussion about her. I learned she wasn't perfect, she wasn't the end-all-and-be-all, but I also learned that other countries liked her, and respected her...for the most part.
Yes, I want to have a more adult relationship with America, but it's those things I hear about her--written, spoken, repeated, yelled, and believed by some people--that make me doubt our relationship. That makes me sad--that I, and so many others I know--have had our relationship with America sullied. By other people, who think they love her too, but yet say such horrible things about her.
It's so easy today, to say things in the name of America, and to have those things believed. For one, there are a whole lot of powerful bullies out there, and if you don't immediately believe what they say, they will put you in your place--hurt you, if they have to. Beginning with that stupid, heinous declaration: "Well, if you hate America so much, why don't you just leave?" There's just no good answer to that level of stupidity, so your silence is believed, by the bully, to be agreement with whatever lies about America they want to spread.
Then there are the sheep. We have a lot more of them these days, and in my black hole of despair for humanity, they will never speak out in time to save us. These are people who are educated--can read and write, and yet do not use their critical thinking skills. It's just too easy to listen to one television channel for all their news, or what's worse, to not listen or read at all, and let their co-workers tell them what to think (see paragraph above).
In some ways, America is powerless to fight--I know that, so I can look beyond some of the things said about her. She and I know it's not true that gays are second class citizens, and she's taking steps to fix that injustice. She and I know universal healthcare is NOT un-American, but we have a lot of work to do to combat that loud minority of bullies, and we need help! She knows,and understands, her Constitution, and she wishes everyone did.
But there are other things I've heard about America that has really had an effect on our relationship, things that make me love her less. America is a democracy, so when her leaders, in so many states, pass laws that restrict so many women's healthcare choices, I have to believe it's what she wants. Then I see America courted, wooed, and influenced by men with lots and lots and lots of money, I love her less. I think she can do better, if she would just try. When I see America, a Republic, becoming so swayed by the Religious Right, I find myself wanting to walk away.
But I'm an adult. I do have power, and I have more power when other people, who love America too, decide it's time for an intervention. There's still a chance that America will walk away from those negative influences. We have to try--we love America too much. And we want to preserve our relationship with her. Because heck, she's worth it.
But things about this country, done in the name of this country, make me squirm uncomfortably. Many people, claiming to be patriots, have done a disservice to this country--have made her appear to be so much less than she really is. When I see people wearing red, white, and blue hats, shirts, whatever, and they're screaming hatred at whomever will listen, I want to deny I'm from here. There are people who wave the flag of this country, and DEMAND that I pledge allegiance. They make me want to run the other way.
But by far the worst are those who utter one of the most heinous sentences ever crafted in this country: "America--love it or leave it." I think I was about 10 when I heard those words thrown about, and I remember cringing, as if I had been physically assaulted. Then, and now, I wondered who the real patriot was; if the majority of Americans were in agreement with this absolute, or if there was some room for compromise.
I grew up with America, moved into the 21st century with her. I love America, but I'm ready for a more adult relationship with her. I'm not the blind, trusting kid I once was; I'm ready for adult discussions and adult feelings.
I know a lot about America--I've read alot about her, heard some of her history. I've read her Declaration of Independence, her Constitution. I think some of the information about America has been embellished, and I think she's taken steps to hide her more sordid past. But the fact that I know about these things, and still want to love America--isn't that part of being in a real relationship?
America has done some bad things, very bad. She's apologized--sincerely--and I am going to take her at her word--that she'll never repeat slavery, internment camps, forced relocation, extermination. I would like to help her overcome her addiction to denial of basic human rights; she's made great strides (just look at her Amendments!), but she knows she has some work to do. I do want to help; that's part of being in an adult relationship, isn't it?
I left America once--I went to live with another country for three years. I think it helped my relationship with America. People in the new country were curious about America; they asked questions about her, wanted to know what she was like. People of the other country had opinions about America, so we had a great discussion about her. I learned she wasn't perfect, she wasn't the end-all-and-be-all, but I also learned that other countries liked her, and respected her...for the most part.
It's so easy today, to say things in the name of America, and to have those things believed. For one, there are a whole lot of powerful bullies out there, and if you don't immediately believe what they say, they will put you in your place--hurt you, if they have to. Beginning with that stupid, heinous declaration: "Well, if you hate America so much, why don't you just leave?" There's just no good answer to that level of stupidity, so your silence is believed, by the bully, to be agreement with whatever lies about America they want to spread.
Then there are the sheep. We have a lot more of them these days, and in my black hole of despair for humanity, they will never speak out in time to save us. These are people who are educated--can read and write, and yet do not use their critical thinking skills. It's just too easy to listen to one television channel for all their news, or what's worse, to not listen or read at all, and let their co-workers tell them what to think (see paragraph above).
In some ways, America is powerless to fight--I know that, so I can look beyond some of the things said about her. She and I know it's not true that gays are second class citizens, and she's taking steps to fix that injustice. She and I know universal healthcare is NOT un-American, but we have a lot of work to do to combat that loud minority of bullies, and we need help! She knows,and understands, her Constitution, and she wishes everyone did.
But there are other things I've heard about America that has really had an effect on our relationship, things that make me love her less. America is a democracy, so when her leaders, in so many states, pass laws that restrict so many women's healthcare choices, I have to believe it's what she wants. Then I see America courted, wooed, and influenced by men with lots and lots and lots of money, I love her less. I think she can do better, if she would just try. When I see America, a Republic, becoming so swayed by the Religious Right, I find myself wanting to walk away.
But I'm an adult. I do have power, and I have more power when other people, who love America too, decide it's time for an intervention. There's still a chance that America will walk away from those negative influences. We have to try--we love America too much. And we want to preserve our relationship with her. Because heck, she's worth it.
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