My Country, 'Tis of Thee
We're off to Italy on Friday and, amidst the planning to make sure I pack enough underwear, the power converter, passport, you know the drill etc., I've been thinking about what I will say if and when people challenge us about America.
If you've been overseas, you know this happens.
If you haven't, this happens.
We haven't been out of the country since the current POTUS was elected so this should be interesting.
Editor's Note: When I wrote this blog last night, I decided to let it sit before posting because it felt just too pessimistic and just a tad snarky. The tone seemed to go against what is a common theme of this blog: that people are people are people no matter where you encounter them and that people are good. Kind. Helpful.
Which was reinforced when the Spousal Unit™ and I volunteered at the annual Excelsior (MN) Firecracker Run this morning.
So I'm adding, in italics, thoughts that formed while volunteering that are also in line with my core beliefs about this country.
Make no mistake about it. I love our country and being an American--of Polish descent. Seeing the Statue of Liberty causes me to consider what it took for my relatives to decide to leave their homeland and sail to a place they felt was filled with possibilities not available to them in their own country. My fraternal grandmother was put on a boat when she was 16 years old. I would have no more put any of my three daughters on a boat to sail across the Atlantic Ocean and land in a country where they couldn't read or speak the language when they were 16 than...than...than I don't know what.
Would you?
And yet they did. Thousands and thousands them. Shuffled off the freighters into harbors where they were not always warmly greeted, where frequently no one stood waiting for them. Where signs hung in windows telling them they were not welcome, they need not apply for work. Sadly, unfortunately, this go round of you're not wanted here, the country is full has deep roots in America. A country where, when it feels convenient, those living here have a tendency to forget that their ancestors too came from somewhere else.
Without them, we would not be where we are today and I am using the aggregate we here. All of you are Americans because at least one of your relatives stood up and said they wanted a better life and it was in America.
It still is, that better life, for thousands upon thousands still who flee persecution, rape, murder, subscription into the army, pillaging on and on and on. Their homes are such threatening places that they put themselves through hell to seek asylum and a better life in America. Land of the Free. Home of the Brave.
This is the cover from a magazine I receive because my mother purchased a very small life insurance policy for me from what is now called the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association. The descendents of immigrantswish us a Happy 4th of July.
If we accept their wishes, I believe doing so comes with the challenge of what we once, twice, thrice or more removed immigrants are going to do for our brethren at the border. Nothing is not the answer.
So what will I say, when I am rapidly identified as an American when I am overseas? I will reply that I am proud of America. Like any country, there are diverse opinions but unlike any country, America remains a place where, as my friend Margery says, we may disagree with each other yet we will defend each other's right to express their opinion. Because of that hard won freedom of speech, Americans sound bombastic at times (cf: POTUS). I believe that people are basically good at heart (cf: Anne Frank). On the 4th of July, people do wear red, white and blue. They smile at each other on the curbs where they put out blankets and chairs the night before in order to secure a spot to view the community parade. They'll share bug spray when commingling at a community park or on the banks or the rivers or lakes to ooh and ahh at fireworks. If and when we return to that spirit of heart which celebrates America at its best, our country will again look beyond our individual backyards where I hope these self-imposed boundaries will begin to dissipate.
Because...tanks? On the 4th of July, America don't need no stinkin' tanks.
If you've been overseas, you know this happens.
If you haven't, this happens.
We haven't been out of the country since the current POTUS was elected so this should be interesting.
Editor's Note: When I wrote this blog last night, I decided to let it sit before posting because it felt just too pessimistic and just a tad snarky. The tone seemed to go against what is a common theme of this blog: that people are people are people no matter where you encounter them and that people are good. Kind. Helpful.
Which was reinforced when the Spousal Unit™ and I volunteered at the annual Excelsior (MN) Firecracker Run this morning.
So I'm adding, in italics, thoughts that formed while volunteering that are also in line with my core beliefs about this country.
Make no mistake about it. I love our country and being an American--of Polish descent. Seeing the Statue of Liberty causes me to consider what it took for my relatives to decide to leave their homeland and sail to a place they felt was filled with possibilities not available to them in their own country. My fraternal grandmother was put on a boat when she was 16 years old. I would have no more put any of my three daughters on a boat to sail across the Atlantic Ocean and land in a country where they couldn't read or speak the language when they were 16 than...than...than I don't know what.
Would you?
And yet they did. Thousands and thousands them. Shuffled off the freighters into harbors where they were not always warmly greeted, where frequently no one stood waiting for them. Where signs hung in windows telling them they were not welcome, they need not apply for work. Sadly, unfortunately, this go round of you're not wanted here, the country is full has deep roots in America. A country where, when it feels convenient, those living here have a tendency to forget that their ancestors too came from somewhere else.
Without them, we would not be where we are today and I am using the aggregate we here. All of you are Americans because at least one of your relatives stood up and said they wanted a better life and it was in America.
It still is, that better life, for thousands upon thousands still who flee persecution, rape, murder, subscription into the army, pillaging on and on and on. Their homes are such threatening places that they put themselves through hell to seek asylum and a better life in America. Land of the Free. Home of the Brave.
This is the cover from a magazine I receive because my mother purchased a very small life insurance policy for me from what is now called the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association. The descendents of immigrantswish us a Happy 4th of July.
If we accept their wishes, I believe doing so comes with the challenge of what we once, twice, thrice or more removed immigrants are going to do for our brethren at the border. Nothing is not the answer.
So what will I say, when I am rapidly identified as an American when I am overseas? I will reply that I am proud of America. Like any country, there are diverse opinions but unlike any country, America remains a place where, as my friend Margery says, we may disagree with each other yet we will defend each other's right to express their opinion. Because of that hard won freedom of speech, Americans sound bombastic at times (cf: POTUS). I believe that people are basically good at heart (cf: Anne Frank). On the 4th of July, people do wear red, white and blue. They smile at each other on the curbs where they put out blankets and chairs the night before in order to secure a spot to view the community parade. They'll share bug spray when commingling at a community park or on the banks or the rivers or lakes to ooh and ahh at fireworks. If and when we return to that spirit of heart which celebrates America at its best, our country will again look beyond our individual backyards where I hope these self-imposed boundaries will begin to dissipate.
Because...tanks? On the 4th of July, America don't need no stinkin' tanks.
America don't need no stinkin' tanks!
ReplyDeleteWalking by a poster yesterday with an invitation for an Anti-America Celebration I was bit surprised. Despite POTUS and many flaws, I still think America is a fascinating country and People are good. Especially here, I experience so may nice people, open hearted, critical with the flaws and interested in what is going on. I can't deal with ignorance and supremacy but my country those days is not so much better. Who ma I to judge. Although certain faces on tv make me gag. Nevertheless as a German I will always have a problem with having national pride but I won't take that from any one else and despite the fact that there are a lot of things to be ashamed in the countries history there is also a lot to be proud of and worship it. And does not every country have dark spots in their history? Celebrate your country without loosing sight of its flaws I think this is the way to go. Enjoy your time in Italy, I wish I could join my family and the Smith, but Berkeley is not that bad either.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts Mary-so very well said!
ReplyDelete