Patriotism, Parades, and Something to be Proud of

Usually popping my head up and checking out what's going on in the world makes me weep for humanity. Watching all of those awful videos of Asian Americans being clobbered in the street for no reason while people idly stood by watching and refusing to help made me think we'd devolved to a completely different species. We've gone through lots of stages of grief together through the madness of the past couple of years. Watching Black, Hispanic, Native American, Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ Americans and now AAPI people experience prejudice and violence, not to mention the obscene amounts of arbitrary gun violence has built a block of ice around my heart even this historic heatwave I'm experiencing in the PNW couldn't melt.

Then I saw this video. I cried with pride watching an entire community come together to help pick up a teen who had been working so hard to achieve her dreams. She didn't make the Olympics, but they threw her a parade to celebrate her hard work anyway. Those tears fell and a couple little cracks in my beat up ticker started to scab. This is the America I know and love, the one that I am so proud to call home.

We have a really important holiday weekend coming up and I've been thinking a lot about patriotism, politics, and what it means to be an American. When I think about what my family went through to get here to escape a war and certain torture and death, my gratitude for their sacrifices and efforts cover a great many things. But when I lay in bed at night and count my blessings, gun rights, freedom of speech and religion rarely top my list. Before I drift off to dreamland, I send the most gratitude up for the people that fight to make a difference. For the multitudes of people that put the safety, health and happiness of others above their own. I value people that work to bring joy to others, invest their time and money to make the world a better place, that do their part to lift each other up when it feels like our dreams and wishes are out of reach. I am humbled and inspired by the people that acknowledge the struggles they can’t fully understand and cheer each other on past the hurdles or demand better for their friends and neighbors.

I don’t think it’s un-American to believe that we could do more than arm people to help and protect each other. The protection that the police and military work to provide us is completely appreciated, but I think keeping kids fed and educated, ensuring access to affordable housing and medical care, and unalienable rights to freedom regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation are big parts of the safety we should stand for too.

I'm a perfectionist by nature. I always find room for improvement regardless of the circumstances, it's just in my DNA. My stepdad recently told me that he can always count on me to look around and see what I need to do, then ask “What else can I do to help?” I think the multi-billion dollar self-help industry is proof that we acknowledge we can do better in some areas as individuals. I don’t think it’s a crazy far-left principal or exclusively Democrat belief that we could collectively use some work too. To love our country and want to see all of its citizens safe and happy. When I watch the news, read the articles and cringe at the memes- the only thing I want to shout from the rooftops is that THERE IS NOTHING MORE AMERICAN THAN WANTING TO FIGHT FOR A BETTER LIFE FOR YOUR FAMILY. It is literally our founding principal, what brought the Mayflower across the pond packed with refugees, and the foundation of the American Dream.

I am proud to be an American, but the love is not blind. What could be more patriotic than loving your country enough to acknowledge where we fall short and to be willing to work toward improvements? Our entire nation was built by immigrants and misfits that were willing to say there has a better way to do things and were willing to work for it. They picked each other up, cheered each other on, kept pushing until they reached their goals. Especially the ones we pledge allegiance to: one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I’m here for the red white and blue, I believe we can be star spangled awesome, I’m proud of where I come from and would love to be prouder. Moments like this parade sure help. If you need some fictional motivators- these are two of my favorites.

My fervent wish is that in addition to bbqs and fireworks, Fourth of July celebrations also include a moment to reflect and ask what else can I do? What ways big or small can I help make America a better place? Can I lower my carbon footprint? Can I help a stranger in need? Can I offer a compliment or support to someone going above and beyond? Can I take a moment to give a damn about an injustice that doesn’t affect me personally and contribute towards fixing it? Happy Fourth of July weekend. God Bless America.