(no subject)
I have spent so much time ashamed of my country and all the evil it has done to the world. I chose to leave my country and I have lived for years enduring the casual anti-American sentiments expressed on a daily basis by the European media, politicians, co-workers and even friends. And I have had nothing to say. How could I defend what has been unquestionably selfish, arrogant, and downright evil actions and decisions; ignorance and thoughtlessness and close-mindedness and stupidity which seems unable to acknowledge or believe that anything but America actually exists?
And yet... and yet... there is a part of me that feels what I can only describe as patriotism, a love for my natal country deep and profound. Not the flag waving, imperialistic warmongering kind of patriotism, but a deep love for the improbable concatentation of principles we hold dear. I am proud of the attitude that says we can fix it, we can make it better, we can change it when it's not right and change it again until it is. I am proud of the ethos that says that where you're from is not nearly as important as where you're going and what you're doing with what you've been given; that our destinies are not controlled by who we are, but by our choices and our actions. I am proud of the ideal that the bravery of the individual can change the course of the world, that individuals and their actions are important. That you can fight for what is right against all odds, and win. I am proud of Sojourner Truth, of Susan B Anthony, of Rosa Parks, of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, of Martin Luther King, of Cesar Chavez, of Stephen J Gould, of Langston Hughes, of Woody Guthrie, of Sally Ride, of Roosevelt and Kennedy.
And today, for the first time in my adult life, I am standing in awe of the possibility that I might be able to hold my head up high and be proud of my country's leadership, be proud to affirm that I am American, be proud of the choices we have made and the world that together we can make, be proud to be a force for good and not evil in this world.
Make me proud, America.
YES, WE CAN!
And yet... and yet... there is a part of me that feels what I can only describe as patriotism, a love for my natal country deep and profound. Not the flag waving, imperialistic warmongering kind of patriotism, but a deep love for the improbable concatentation of principles we hold dear. I am proud of the attitude that says we can fix it, we can make it better, we can change it when it's not right and change it again until it is. I am proud of the ethos that says that where you're from is not nearly as important as where you're going and what you're doing with what you've been given; that our destinies are not controlled by who we are, but by our choices and our actions. I am proud of the ideal that the bravery of the individual can change the course of the world, that individuals and their actions are important. That you can fight for what is right against all odds, and win. I am proud of Sojourner Truth, of Susan B Anthony, of Rosa Parks, of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, of Martin Luther King, of Cesar Chavez, of Stephen J Gould, of Langston Hughes, of Woody Guthrie, of Sally Ride, of Roosevelt and Kennedy.
And today, for the first time in my adult life, I am standing in awe of the possibility that I might be able to hold my head up high and be proud of my country's leadership, be proud to affirm that I am American, be proud of the choices we have made and the world that together we can make, be proud to be a force for good and not evil in this world.
Make me proud, America.
Click to viewYES, WE CAN!