With the celebration of Independence Day this weekend, I found myself reminiscing about how I used to feel about this holiday. In my early adulthood, I was wildly patriotic, having grown up in a culture that values this kind of zealotry for the motherland. I celebrated with reverence the story I was told about a people seeking religious freedom and men who founded this nation on their knees and in accordance with God’s will.
I was so naive.
The problem I eventually encountered was that my love for the history of my nation led me to research it to learn more about it. And then I learned the difference between myth and reality and had to let go of the stories I’d been told about religious freedom and the promised land. Now when the fourth of July rolls around, and I am left pondering how we celebrate the birth of a nation that was born and built on the backs of slaves. Not to mention the way we shoved the people already living here right out of the way. God’s will? I refuse to believe it.
And now, once a year when “I’m Proud to Be an American” becomes a popular tune, I struggle to figure out what it is I’m supposed to be so proud of. Our health care is abysmal compared to similar nations. Our obsession with guns is embarrassing. You can basically only get a good education if you’re white and rich. And no, you can’t get rich here. The American Dream is extinct if it ever existed.
And the truth is, things are even worse than that. Because as frustrated as I am with America, I don’t even live in the same America as people of color do. The America they live in is frightening and brutal. For every obstacle I see, I am granted white privilege in dealing with it. I could come up with a list of benefits about being American, but I’m disenchanted with the idea because it would apply to people of color to a lesser degree, if at all. I’m not interested in giving props to White America while the rest of the nation suffers at the hands of White Americans.
I want better things for America because I want better things for my fellow man. I’m really over this idea of America as the promised land. We’re not exceptional. And I’m hard pressed to find any aspect in which we are superior.
On Saturday, I ate hot dogs and ran around with my children, sparklers in hand. I’m just not sure why.
Leah Marie
Leah Marie earned a BA in Political Science, and a Masters in Public Administration. She is currently working towards her PhD in Public Policy. She is wife to an English professor, and mother to 3 beautiful boys.
All posts by Leah Marie
I see a lot of similarities in this to learning the truth of the Church’s past, and coming to grips with what it’s not. I often find myself sitting in church thinking “why am I still doing this?”
That parallel was not lost on me either. :/
“We’re not exceptional. And I’m hard pressed to find any aspect in which we are superior.”
There’s this:
http://www.oecd.org/newsroom/aid-to-developing-countries-rebounds-in-2013-to-reach-an-all-time-high.htm
The US is the most giving county on earth. Most of our financial aid goes to developing countries. That’s pretty spectacular.
You reference white privilege. You have completely ignored your American privilege. Either you haven’t traveled much outside of the US, or you aren’t well informed on what tremendous advantages nearly every person in the US has over most of the world’s inhabitants. Even with racism, inequality, etc, our quality of life is better than most. Are we perfect? Not even close. But we’re pretty damn good.
You’re wrong on both counts. I have both travelled outside of the US and am well informed about our generally unappreciated prosperity, especially when compared to undeveloped nations. I, by no means, argued that America is the worst place to live. But our gross prosperity in relation with the rest of world isn’t laudable in my eyes. It doesn’t make us superior at all. And I flatly disagree that it is “better than most”. Especially in reference to racism and inequality. Sure, not the worst. But not better than most by a long shot.
The United States is also superior at Women’s soccer.
touché
Y’all Cray,
Have you ever been at the receiving end of white supremacy? Sexism? Classism? I can’t nor would I ever compare myself to someone living in another country. However, it says a lot about our nation if I and many others have to advocate for our rights as citizens.
Y’all Cray,
I’m white. I have lived in parts of the world where I was regularly on the receiving end of racism. I have experienced sexism to a scale where I felt like perusing legal action.
We should always advocate for our’s and other’s rights. Short of living in the millennium, this is always going to be the case.
I have seen my idea of patriotism change over the years. I don’t think that the US is the best country in the world (kind of impossible to measure), but I do find many laudable qualities in the United States. I’ll just mention a few.
For better or for worse (and I feel that it is overall better than the alternative) the US has a hegemonic influence in the world, which leads to an incredibly stable world economic and political state of affairs. The amount of ‘soft power’ it uses throughout the world to advocate for human rights is more than any other country can claim.
The US is very, very good at integrating immigrants, compared to other countries who see heavy immigrant populations (i.e. Europe) Canada is the best on this count though!
My favorite thing about the US is the discussions take place. We have incredible obstacles to overcome in regards to racism, economic inequality, etc. We also have incredibly dark parts of our history, as you say, slavery, treatment of Native Americans, the list goes on and on. But we talk about this stuff. We debate the issues. We disagree horribly with one another. And the country goes on. That’s not evidence of us being better than any other country, I just find it super admirable when many countries (russia and china come to mind) that do not have the same ability or desire to be open about past and current problems.
So, my opinion in short: I’m not proud of everything about the US, and it’s not the ‘best country’, but it is a good one, and a force of good overall.
For sure it is not all bad. And we do _sometimes_ use our powers for good. But, I’m less interest in keeping the kids up late to watch fireworks to celebrate the fact that we’re alright, ya know?
I live in a primarily Black (about 50%) and Latino (about 40%) neighborhood, my closest friends are immigrants of various melanin levels–and it keeps me grounded how much faith they have in American ideals, even in the face of the injustices that are their immediate reality.
It’s nice to be around. But not only that, I feel that kind if hope in action is what makes America great and what will make it better.
A folk singer I love, Utah Phillips, used to say, “my body is my ballot.” I try to live by that: to make how I act, what I do, how I live valuable to the people who share stake in my socio-civic life.
America is as good as we collectively make it, so I’ll do my damnedest to make it as good as I can.
Every nation, religion, corporation, or other organization has skeletons in their closets. What is more important is how that organization deals with its past. Does it deny that the skeletons exist, try to cover them up, attempt to rewrite history, silence those who bring up uncomfortable facts? Or does it acknowledge them, try to learn from them, and move on?
Leah Marie Silverman,
Yeah, patriotism in general is kind of a silly thing sometimes.
Leah Marie Silverman,
I just keep them up for fireworks because fireworks are awesome. Also, I celebrate the holiday as a day to enjoy my neighbors and my immediate community. Something about block parties, sharing food, children running around playing and laughing, roasting marshmallows, lighting fireworks and most of all just being with friends and family. That’s what I celebrate on the 4th of July. I gave up my zealous patriotism long ago, but it is still one of my favorite holidays because I just so love the sense if community it engenders.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,”
Is this alone not cause to celebrate and rejoice that such profound and liberating words were penned to inaugurate the founding of our Nation?
The American revolution and subsequent Constitution containing the Bill of Rights is one of the most significant events in human history for the simple fact alone that it was the beginning of, and served as a catalyst to, ridding the western world of despots, tyrants and kings. Additionally, It’s significant because it’s one of the few instances in human history where the revolutionaries crafted a system that was designed to limit governmental power while enhancing and guaranteeing the liberty of the individual.
Of course slavery was a great evil. It was awful, inhumane and a disgrace. That being said, does it negate the important values and principles the founding fathers promulgated? I would say absolutely not. This indeed is shorted sighted in my opinion. Many of the signers of the constitution were staunchly opposed to slavery; many of the northern states put it into their charters to ban slavery, and was subsequently signed into law by President Washington.
Pertaining to your assertion of White Privilege, I don’t doubt that this exists in some avenues and circumstances. But I think it’s an extremely dangerous message to tell a group of people who have dark skin that they can’t make it because they’re skin contains higher concentrations of melanin than their peers. If anything is racist, this notion is. Many people of color, present and past have risen out of poverty and improved themselves, thus realizing the American Dream. I think it’s time we stop encouraging people to view themselves as victims, and instead empower them to realize that no matter the obstacle, success is attainable in America.
How long ago was it that there were 2 bathrooms, 2 water fountains, 2 public pools, that interracial marriage was illegal, etc.?
White privelege goes like this. Assuming you’re white, tell your son to put on a hoodie and tell him to walk past a park bench where a white lady is sitting. Watch what she does. Does she clutch her purse a little harder just because the boy is white? Does she make an assumption that he is a criminal just because of the clothes he wears?
Everyone is born with an endowment. Some of us are born with 2 parents, some one. Some are born into financial stability, some are not. Some are the descendants of plantation owners, some are the descendants of plantation workers. The concept of white privilege is just that: admitting that, due to a myriad of factors (among them the fact that segregation laws were only abolished a few decades ago, for example), whiteness is an advantage. Try to send in an application for a job with an ethnically black name and white name and see what happens. This test has been repeated multiple times among scholars. Denying structural racism and privilege is not just idealistic-it’s harmful.
Leah,
“We’re not exceptional. And I’m hard pressed to find any aspect in which we are superior.”
Actually, this is really easy. Next time you are struggling to find out basic information, you should try Google.
Here are a couple of ways that America is superior:
1. Every year, researchers designate Americans at the most giving people of any nation on earth. Number one. This is determined by behavior in three areas: donated money, helping strangers, volunteer hours. This seems like its a pretty good thing.
https://www.cafonline.org/about-us/publications/2014-publications/world-giving-index-2014/donating-money.aspx
2. The American government gives more foreign aid than any other country. Number one. In 2015, America is giving away $35.4 billion. That seems like a lot, especially when you consider that America gives more than ten times the amount of the rest of the world combined in foreign aid. Oh–and billions and billions of this money goes to Africa (even though apparently Americans and their African-American president are basically racists and are drunk with “white privilege”). Gee- imagine what President Obama could have done with a #1 prep school education and degrees from Columbia and Harvard. Too bad..he could have really amounted to something in a more equitable country (but I digress).
3. America is always the in the top 5 of the most innovative countries in the world (in 2013, they were #3). I know that 3 isn’t 1, so maybe that isn’t “superior” but it seems like that’s pretty good. http://www.bloomberg.com/slideshow/2014-01-22/30-most-innovative-countries.html#slide29
4. America is 1 of only 22 nations where gay marriage is legal, it probably took too long, but more than 80% of the world’s population still does not have the right to marry whoever they want. That’s seems pretty good to me, too. http://www.pewforum.org/2015/06/26/gay-marriage-around-the-world-2013/
5. America led the world in defeating Communism–that was kind of a big deal.
6. America saved western civilization when it entered WWII. In my opinion, stopping Hitler was a good thing.
I am Indian-American (and Mormon). Both of my parents are from Mumbai. If you have ever visited Mumbai (maybe you have) then you know what crushing poverty is. If you have lived in South or East Asia, you know what oppressive regimes are like to live under.
You are free to use the internet to write this post, free to complain about a lack of AC in your car or office, and free to criticize America and its past because you are American. The very fact that you can sit around on your computer and complain about America is evidence of how good America has been to you. Beyond that, the fact that I can sit around on my computer (with a full stomach, good health, a home with a stove, oven, fridge, AC, plumbing, and clean water) and spend time rebutting your angry post is also evidence that America has been good to me and my family. If my parents never left India in the early 90s, I wouldn’t have the luxury.
If America is so bad, you should tell that to the millions of would-be immigrants in South Asia, East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America that they should just stay in their countries–that America has nothing to offer them. Go ahead and tell someone that lives in Mexico City, Hanoi, Kolkata, Havanna, or Harare that they should spare themselves of the racism in America and just stay put–that they will be better off.
THAT IS (please don’t miss this point), in fact, your white privilege showing: the idea that (trust me!) America isn’t really that great.
I say bring them all on. The more diverse America becomes, the better. The lingering racism will continue to fade.
So why does study after study show that first and second generation immigrants tend to be more patriotic than rich white Americans like you?
I think the answer is because hating America is a luxury too privileged for us to have.
Deron Singh
Thomas,
I appreciate your comment Thomas, and don’t entirely disagree.
As I mentioned in my initial post, I’m not saying it doesn’t exist anywhere, but I don’t think it’s an epidemic like some people seem to think. I guess my question for you would be…. so now what do we do? Do we continue to tell black folks that they can’t make it? That the cards are stacked against them? I really don’t think this is true for the majority of people.
How many people are descendants of plantation owners? Certainly there are a number in the south, but outside of that, who? I certainly don’t know anyone or have heard of anyone who continues to prosper because they’re ancestors owned a plantation. It certainly can’t be responsible for even a fraction of wealthy white people. No, capitalism and the free market creates wealth.
Many past and present people of color have succeeded and will continue to succeed in this country. Let’s empower all americans by teaching values of handwork, determination, education and perseverance to whites and minorities alike. This will go a lot farther than any government program ever could.
Adam M.,
In my understanding, acknowledging white privilege(or any other privilege) isn’t about the people who lack it but rather the people who do. It’s not about “victims”. It’s about beneficiaries, particularly about converting unaware beneficiaries into aware beneficiaries.
RR,
And if white people recognize their “privilege” what does that accomplish?
I wonder how many of these people would have bothered with their comments had they taken the time to read your credentials, Leah Marie. But I guess you could have forgotten all about the powerful wonderment of the almighty Declaration of Independence and its law binding power. Oh, wait . . .
Leah Marie Silverman,
Define “most” then. I don’t think that word means what you think it means. That or you haven’t really spent that much time outside the U.S.
If it’s as bad as you seem to think it is, why don’t you leave? And if it’s as bad as you think it is, why are so many people emigrating here? Why aren’t Americans emigrating elsewhere by the millions?
That makes more sense, but I still ask, okay now what? What is that supposed to accomplish? I’m supposed to tell myself regularly that because I’m white life is significantly easier for me than people with darker skin? I’ve had some advantages in life, and some disadvantages, like most people.
Adam M.,
Bravo, Adam! You are a person of sound understanding. Thank you for being reasonable and articulate.
If your foreign travels have been to western Europe or a handful of other developed, free nations, then you don’t have much context for how most of the world lives. Go to China, Africa, the Middle East, Russia or Eastern Europe and then come here and tell us how America shouldn’t be celebrated.
Leah Marie Silverman,
Y’all Cray,
Why thank you kind sir!
Adam M.,
Recognized privilege helps stop us from shaming others who struggle, as we realize they have cultural reasons they don’t find the same success. It helps us look at policies and understand why they are needed, rather than eliminate them and say “I did it, you can also or your just lazy.”