Walk Home Together

This week we celebrate the birth of our nation. I’ve got some mixed feelings about it. Maybe you do too.

On one hand, I am so grateful and proud to be American. I’ve lived a life of such freedom and possibility and privilege that people in other countries can only dream of. I have our military and our unique democratic processes to thank for that. Through luck alone I was born here and enjoy all the advantages that come with that.

On the other hand, I do not recognize who we’ve become. So divided. So hateful. So disingenuous. I have tried to connect with people who support the current administration in an attempt to make sense of their outlooks but that really went nowhere. I’ve moved through all the stages of grief as I’ve watched some people I love turn into strangers and others be treated as criminals. At this point, it’s just a profound and lingering sadness, with only a tiny flickering glimmer of optimism that one day, we will get back to where we were.

To be VERY clear: I am not speaking about Republicans. I’m from Alabama; I’m surrounded by Republicans I know and love, including my husband. I’ve proudly worked for two Republican U.S. Senators. I have absolutely no problem with garden variety conservatives who believe in small government, fiscal responsibility, the free market, and a strong national defense. I believe in those things too.

I’m talking about the red hats. The folks waving those flags with his name emblazoned. The proud, unflinchingly loyal supporters of that person and his regime. This is for you.

The sight of those hats and that flag profoundly hurts my soul, every single time.

“Cry more, lib!” you might be saying.

Yep. I am. Sobbing, actually. I’m heartsick over the cruelty of the message you’re sending. All these years of observing that man, his own actions and words, and those of his vocal supporters, has taken a toll.

If you are openly aligning yourself with that person and his regime you’re telling me quite a lot about yourself that I truly wish I didn’t know:

You support an adjudicated rapist.

You are racist, or at the very least, you don’t mind being racist-adjacent.

You are fine with mocking the disabled.

The leader of the free world regularly lowering the discourse to subterranean levels with childishly petty personal attacks and threatening, virulent language is normal behavior.

Your queer friends and family do not deserve to be treated with dignity.

Truth is debatable and the First Amendment is optional.

You would deny women life saving healthcare care to prove a point.

Science isn’t real, if it conflicts with what you want to hear.

A convicted felon with a history of fraudulent business practices, multiple bankruptcies, and a history of numerous marital infidelities is a trustworthy leader of our nation.

Masked officers (?) arresting people in public without cause and holding them as prisoners indefinitely is acceptable.

You want the Ten Commandments displayed in schools but the hungry children can just suck it up.

Sharia Law is fine as long as it’s the Christian kind.

The January 6th insurrection, in which armed rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, was justified.

Ignoring the parts of the Constitution that protect the vulnerable is A-ok. Because it doesn’t affect you. Yet.

All of these things, plus many, many more that clog up the news cycle, make me incredibly sad. This is not who we are. This is not Republicans and Democrats arguing about policy. It stopped being about policy a long time ago. This is something else. Something bleak. My heart shatters every time I’m reminded of what we’ve become.

I’m sure this struck a nerve with some folks. I hope so. If you’re wearing that hat and waving that flag, on July 4th of all days, you are exactly who I’m speaking to. And look, I firmly, passionately believe in free speech, so go ahead. I support your right to do so. The message you’re sending is being received loud and clear.

As for me, I’m only going to fly the American flag. I’m going to think hard about the qualities it represents and how I can work towards that in my own community. I’m going to focus on my little glimmer of optimism that all is not lost and that we will, as a country, find our way out of this poisonous wilderness. We will be the United States again, recognizing that our Creator made us all equal, bestowing upon us the inalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.