My mother and father had a reverence for the United States of America. My father was an engineer by trade but an historian by choice. He filled his library with countless books about the great moments in American history. He and my mother were both proud of the way that their generation fought against fascism to persevere the rights of humans around the world during World War II. They often spoke of our democracy with a kind of awe that I accepted without much thought.
For much of my young life I took my freedoms for granted. It was only when I went to college at the age of seventeen that I began to understand that the best aspects of our nation are constantly in a state of evolution. I saw that we all must be protectors of the ideals of the United States even in times of peace. As I approached history and current events with a more adult point of view I saw that it was not just okay to critique the problems that seem to be a common thread of the continuing story of the United States of America but it is our duty to continually strive to reach the ideals that our forefathers outlined even as they themselves were unable to reach perfection.
I suppose that because I was raised by a widowed mother from the time that I was eight years old I saw the strength in her femininity. I became a kind of fangirl for women who historically worked for the rights of all of humankind even as they were sometimes ignored. I voraciously read about Abigail Adams admonishing her husband not to forget the women while crafting the constitution for our new nation. I adored the fact that Eleanor Roosevelt was often the conscience and force behind so many of her husbands bold moves in recognizing all people of our nation. I admired the courage of Rosa Parks in refusing to give up her seat on a bus leading to a movement that changed the course of history for the children and grandchildren of former slaves. These women and more gave me a deep appreciation of my country and showed me how to use my voice to protect it for all.
I am not a wild eyed revolutionary. I tend to be more of an observer than someone who takes the lead in voicing concerns about our country, but I treasure the fact that I am free to speak my mind. That ability provided in the Bill of Rights was as important when it first became the law of the new government as it is today. Throughout our history it has allowed every citizen to point to problems that they see and to bring their critiques to public discourse. It is a core element of our democratic republic that even a common person can note problems and protest with impunity.
When I see American citizens protesting my heart swells with pride because regardless of what point of view they have, they are exercising a right that makes them free people. That freedom is what makes us great, not obedience to one way of thinking. The fact that the people of our country care enough to point out problems and to act to bring them to our attention is a glorious thing. I fill with emotion when I remember the people marching to Washington DC with Martin Luther King Jr. in a grand celebration of their freedom to struggle for justice for people whose ancestors were brought here in chains. Those kind of moments are the most glorious times in our country. They are the ones that puff up my soul with pride.
I have participated in three “No Kings” events in my hometown. I have marched through the streets with fellow citizens to bring attention to our concerns about the present troubles. We have chanted joyfully and brought flowers to the police officers guarding us. I have felt so much gratitude that I can partake of the privilege that our forefathers created to provide to each of us. My thoughts matter in the United States and I can voice them because of the brilliance of our founders. We are already a great nation and have no need to return to times when only a handful of powerful men ran everything. If we want to honor the ideas of the Founding Fathers we will surely understand that they never wanted one person to see himself as the ruler of us all. We should all be unwilling to devolve to a return to treating some among us as being lesser than the rest of us. When I march I feel the full impact of the United States of America and its promises of freedom from tyranny. My heart swells with pride and I feel that I am a part of the long historical arc of justice.
My mother’s eyes used to fill with tears whenever she heard the national anthem. She was the child of immigrants who taught her to enjoy and protect the freedoms that we have here in the United States. She cherished those rights and encouraged me and my brothers to be critical thinkers when it came to how to cast our votes. She taught us to study the issues and to never forget how fragile and precious our freedoms are. Over time I have understood her emotional reaction to discussions of our nation. I too feel the love for this country that keeps me writing about the issues that need to be addressed and marching with my fellow citizens to bring attention to our concerns.
I am a mother and a teacher and I know that even the best family encounters problems. Each of us have different personalities, different dreams and beliefs. A wise woman allows those differences to bloom and flourish. Just as my mother so carefully raised three children none of whom are exactly alike, so it is with our nation of over three hundred million people. We are a glorious tapestry of backgrounds and cultures that makes our nation ever stronger and more beautiful. Our differences keep us from becoming static and obedient to the whims of any group or person. It is the reason for our success as a nation and it is a glorious thing.
I am a proud American who will never be silent when I see glaring problems that must be addressed. When I exercise my Constitutional rights I am acting as a patriot, not as a dangerous dissident. Our forefathers understood that we need all ideas, not just one. They divided power between the three branches of government and within the voices of the people. It is our honor and our obligation to strive toward a more and more perfect union in the nation that we love. It is not just possible but necessary to so appreciate the United States of America that we are never afraid to point to its troubling issues. The ideals of our nation are still evolving as we learn the calculus of freedom that gets us closer and closer to perfection. We are the people protecting liberty and justice for all.
All It Takes Is A Little Love 