I Am America
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I was born on Andrews Air Force Base, where Air Force One is kept ready to go at a moment’s notice, where men and women who love this country are ready to give their very lives in service to it.
Both my father and my grandfather served their country proudly in uniform. Because they knew that our country and constitution are very precious things worth defending and because we Americans believe that the weak should be defended and bullies should be stood up to.
I am America, your friend, the person who helps your child or grandchild when they need help learning to read. I am the person who volunteers their time serving their neighbor, knowing that a helping hand is not charity. It is an act of family.
I am America. My heritage is varied. I proudly love all the many nationalities that make me who I am. I am a mutt, not a pure bred. But I am loyal and smart. I care about family. I am even tempered and not quick to anger. And I hardly ever bite, unless of course, it is warranted. I am a fierce defender when I am needed. I am America.
Some of my family came from the mid-west, and have been here for a thousand years. Some of my family were moved forcibly to Mexico, then immigrated back home again. Some of my family came over on boats through Ellis Island, from England, Germany, Ireland and across Europe. I am America.
I know that when someone says “I am not a bigot, but...” it usually means that they are.
We have all just watched England, and seen how following a bigot, and a single vote can trash an economy. And that the consequences of that, can even travel in a flash across the ocean and evaporate savings over here. Bigotry and hotheadedness have real and lasting consequences.
I know that when someone preaches hate and points the finger at those who seem weaker or different, and says, “Be afraid of them. Hate them. They are the cause of all your problems,” it is always the mark of a cruel bully, who only wants to whip up a mob, so he can be their ruler.
I don’t need to be ruled. I am America.
I love every color, every culture, every freedom that we and our families have fought so hard to keep. We have all given so much, so that we can make our own choices, speak freely, worship as we choose and be ourselves. I value every man who understands that a true sign of character is doing the right thing, no matter who is looking and that being a gentleman is a sign of real strength, not weakness. I know that being a capable woman is not a rarity, it is half the history that built our great nation.
Here we strive to respect and value each other. Here our neighbor may not choose our choices. But we are not afraid that our neighbor will come next door and kill us because we are different. That still happens in many parts of the world. But I am America. I am better than that.
I am compassionate and appreciative of the blind, the deaf, the autistic child. They are not less, just beautifully different. I don’t hate those who are facing physical or emotional challenges or those who are weaker due to their age. I admire the strength they show as they face each challenge. I don’t hate my neighbor because they are not exactly like me, or feel pressured to be just like them. I love that we can each be ourselves.
I am unlike any other country on earth. I am unique. I am beautiful. I am majestic mountains, and great plains. I am vast deserts and wet, glistening coastlines. I am bustling cities and peaceful, clear blue lakes. I am all of it, and all of us. I wouldn’t want to be just one thing. It is all important, and I love having each choice available. I am not weak because of diversity. I am strong because of it.
Anyone who tells you that I am weak and need to be made great again, is a fool. I have always been great. I am not weak or broken, just because I have challenges to face. I face challenges with bravery.
I am creative and innovative. I know how to work hard, be kind, be tough and be compassionate.
I know how to laugh and even cry, together.
I know that every part makes me who I am, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. I am me. I am you. I am America.
