To those who believe there is a group of Americans who hate their country simply because they vote differently, I would say this...you could not be more wrong. I love my country.
The America I love is the one whose very first act was declaring that all men are created equal, arguably the most important concept to ever originate from the mind of man. I love the America that recognized slavery for the sin it was and fought to preserve the Union while passing the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments ending slavery and encoding in the Constitution the Declaration's premise that all are created equal. I love the America that fought the Nazis and fascism and demanded no territory or compensation as tribute. I love the America that spent 11 months flying food, coal and other necessities to our vanquished enemies in Berlin when the USSR tried to choke them off from the West. I love the America that righted the wrong of Plessy v Ferguson by finding separate but equal unconstitutional in Brown v Board of Education. I love the America that recognizes that we are a nation of immigrants - immigrants who, regardless their place of origin, have always embraced what it means to be an American while bringing energy and vitality to our shores. I love the America that has funded the greatest system of universities the world has ever known, delivering science that has improved the health and lives of billions. I love the America that has saved 20 million lives that would have been lost to AIDS, simply because it was the right thing to do and because we could. And most importantly, I love the America that is not only so secure in itself that it allows us to disagree with it when we see fit, but is willing and able to celebrate those who succeeded in bringing about change by pointing out its flaws. Only a country that is both good and great could simultaneously tolerate dissent and celebrate dissent's success.
That America, selfless, moral and secure in itself, is the one that puts a lump in my throat while standing in line to vote and tears in my eyes during the National Anthem, regardless whether performed by a full choir, a bluegrass quartet or an off-key Girl Scout.
That is also the America that is under relentless attack from the current administration, led by a president who does not seem to remotely understand the source of America's true greatness - with far too many who cheer those attacks. And that saddens me. Which is why so many of us no longer shed tears of pride, but tears of sadness when we hear the National Anthem. It is not that we hate our country, but because we love it - just as we would still love our child on one hand yet cry while watching them travel an erroneous path. There could be no stronger love. Be wary of those who would claim otherwise.
No comments:
Post a Comment