A Love Letter To the U-S of A: Despite Our Problems, No Matter What People Say, I’m Proud To Be An American

September 7th, 2012 - By La Truly

Source: hellobeautiful.com

“You Americans are so dumb. You take education for granted.”

“I’ve never seen this much poverty in MY country. I was so shocked when I came here.”

“I love MY country. In MY COUNTRY we don’t have to worry about the stuff you worry about here.”

All of the above comments are compliments of various conversations with people from various countries. I’ll begin by stating that I was born and raised in the United States. I haven’t visited other countries to know firsthand the parallels or the dissimilarities. All I have, at this point, are an open mind, the desire to seek out international information from objective, credible news sources and the honest truth about the good ol’ US of A.

As an honest American I can say that yes, 46.2 million Americans are considered to be living below the poverty line, an issue that the 1% could easily alleviate by… Never mind.

Yes, the average private non-profit institution cost of tuition is $28500, leaving unlucky students with an overwhelming amount of debt, of whom I am one.

As an American woman who happens to be Black, I weep for and can attest to the crimson thread of racism that runs through the tapestry of US history like an unwanted yet tolerated intruder, too deeply ingrained to wholly pluck out. As a bleeding heart and socially aware citizen, I can bite the bullet and admit that America has yet to put as much effort into controlling domestic ‘wars’ as it does in the Middle East. US cities are riddled with gun violence and homelessness. I can admit that Hurricane Katrina highlighted the intense lack of governmental forethought, clearly demonstrating to the world that some Americans are but an afterthought, some of whom are still waiting for ‘relief.’ There is no denying that America’s faults are spread wide, piled high and often overlooked by those who have the most power to effect change.

However, the line between our landmark rights to “freedom of speech” and the vehement, calculated criticism of America by international acquaintances begins to get blurry at fragile points. And I won’t lie – I get mad.

Over my 20-something years of life I have learned how to take criticism like a champ. It hasn’t always been easy. Sometimes I want to wring folks’ necks. Sometimes I have to wait until I get by myself and cry away the hurt. Either way, I’ve learned how to take what is spoken to me; take what is true and will lend itself to higher understanding/growth and then leave the unhelpful thoughts alone. As Bishop T.D Jakes said, “Eat the meat and throw away the bones.”

But what I can’t get down with is the intense disregard for and stereotyping of ALL Americans based off of what a few capitalist snobs, a few greedy CEOs, a few gang bangers, a few unscrewed citizens, a few unconcerned politicians do/have done. The ‘America’ conversations even with FRIENDS from other countries can create deep resentment because if I came out and said, “Well, hey if America is SO much worse than your country, why don’t you go back?” I’d be wrong. If I did some objective research of some of their home countries or even just listened long enough to their personal descriptions of the degradation some of them came to America to escape and recited it back to them, I’d be a racist, a bigot. My character would be questioned.

Everyone can tell the ‘truth’ about Americans but Americans have to bite their tongues to be, you know, PC.

So, I sit and endure jabs at my community, my home, when in all honesty, I have been blessed to grow up in America. Are there rough and jagged edges to this country? Yes. Am I disappointed daily, by the varying demoralizing events that litter the 6 o’clock news? Absolutely. But there are always two sides to a coin, aren’t there?

I’m blessed to have running water, heat in the winter, air conditioning in the summer. A full roof over my head, paved roads. I’m a product of many years of a Tri-State public school system in which I thrived. I’m a product of a country where the practice of my faith is not threatened with imminent death. At night I sleep with no fear of my home being bombed or of my private parts being mutilated. I travel the width and length of this country not having to ‘show papers’ without which I could be incarcerated for only God knows how long. I can proudly say that the America I so freely roam today is a result of ancestors who came here – some willingly, some in chains – and decided to make the best of the hand they were dealt. While I have no doubt that there are ample other countries who enjoy these same freedoms, America is all I know firsthand, for now. And I count myself blessed.

Do unspeakable things happen here? Yes. But those unspeakable things, however horrible they may be, do NOT discredit the warm blanket of freedom under which I sleep comfortably at night, (respect to the American soldiers who spread that blanket over me with each tour of duty). Those unspeakable things that happen in America and the people who carry them out do NOT discredit the vast amount of good-hearted folks in this country who walk in their calling of reclaiming civility, generosity and compassion to the United States.

It may be the unpopular opinion, in an age of increasing ‘political correctness’ as opposed to speaking the raw honest-to-God truth, but yes, I HAVE recommended to those who have NOTHING but negative comments to spit on the red, white and blue: “You can always go home.” Why stay someplace where you have absolutely NOTHING good to say about it? Why subject yourself to such alleged detrimental and sub par living conditions? Why scrounge up the money to attend an American college when in YOUR country you can attend for free, as you say? Why sit and watch American news every day with its looming cloud of bad luck, death and destruction when in your country little to none of the above plague the people? True freedom of speech is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? It allows others to run down ‘The Great Melting Pot’ for whatever their reasons while also allowing me to dole out a piece of my mind. Thank God, and my American rights for that.

La Truly is a late-blooming Aries whose writing is powered by a lifetime of anecdotal proof that awkward can transform to awesome and fear can cast its crown before courage. Armed with the ability to purposefully poke fun at herself La seeks to encourage thought, discussion and change through her writing. Check out her blog: www.hersoulinc.com and her thoughts/jokes/rants on Twitter: @AshleyLaTruly.

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  • Kitsy

    Thank You!

    I immigrated to this country as a young child and became a citizen years ago. The day I took my oath of citizenship was one of the proudest days of my life! Even though I am proud of my native culture, I ONLY waive the American flag. I am truly Proud To Be An American!

    This country is not perfect, but name the one that is. I also get into arguments with other immigrants who try to bash this country. My response to them is simple: if where you came from was so great you (or your family) would have never come here to begin with; and if you are so disgusted then you need to leave and see how much better off you will be. It’s so easy to criticize a country when you actually have the freedom and privilege to do so, while simultaneously forgetting than in many of their homelands they would be beaten and even killed for doing the same.

    God Bless America!!!!

    • guest

      You seem like a wonderful addition to America. Glad you are a citizen now! :)

  • jorgalane

    I did leave America, but I missed it here and came back lol.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/V6O2EBOSDDIC3EESW3JS22OYWA Vic

    Stockholm syndrome.

    • A

      That reference doesn’t even make sense in this case.

  • Guest360

    Thank you for this article. I can not tell you how many times me and some of my (foreign) friends have gotten in arguments about America’s viability as the “greatest nation on earth”. Like you said, if it’s really THAT bad being over here, how about you take your behind back to where you came from? I know that’s not politically correct but obviously America isn’t that bad if your a$$ chose to emigrate from your country of origin to get money and better opportunities on this side of the world because they weren’t there where you were. No we aren’t perfect and still have a ways to go but let’s cut the crap. There’s a reason why people break the law to come over here. There’s a reason why people are willing to DIE in the name of sending their children over here for a better life. There’s a reason why America is the go to country for financial and military support when ish hits the fan in countries overseas. You don’t have to like everything that we do but respect the place that allowed you to stay within in their borders. Or atleast don’t dare to try to down America in front of Americans. You won’t win the battle lol.

    • Yah

      “if it’s really THAT bad being over here, how about you take your behind back to where you came from? ”

      And I hate when foreign Blacks/new immigrants refuse to understand the Black experience in America. A lot of Black Americans DID try to go back to Africa permanently but were held here by force, and arrested. Learn about Marcus Garvey.

      America is much better in some ways today than in the past, but it does not mean that people should not point out injustices and problems where they see them. To me, the LEAST patriotic person is the one who has a blind acceptance of their country’s policies or social issues, without questioning and holding those in power accountable for their decisions that affect the entire populace.

      Also, to all these people that scream that “America is the greatest country in the world”, how do you know that? Have you been to all other countries?

      I have visited numerous countries that have many aspects that are heads-and-tails better than the U.S. At the same time, there are some aspects of the U.S. that are better than some other countries.

      But no one should blindly wave the U.S. flag simply based on some bullsh*t propaganda, or just because the ONE country they immigrated from is bad.

    • Anonymous

      I’m Nigerian, I will agree America is the greatest nation on earth, there’s no argument there. I think, people who disagree are probably focusing on the stress and hard work that comes with achieving the “American dream”, where some achieved it and many are still struggling. It’s great mainly for the opportunities it has to offer. No other country does that, even Europe isn’t that easy to have access to as much opportunities. The truth about it, for a country to be great, you have to do some dirty works which is what made it become great. It’s all about conquering. I’m a proud American. At the same time, I’m a proud Nigerian because that’s what makes me unique from any other American. I love my culture, food, music, it’s close to my heart.

      Going to America for financial and military support is slowly changing. China is fast growing, the second greatest nation. America borrows most of their money from China but the difference is, I doubt china will ever be a melting point of people from different walks of life the way America is. Also, there will be shifting of power soon, whether we like it or not. America will not always be this great. It was once Europe, but look at Europe now.

    • Anonymous

      I’m Nigerian, I will agree America is the greatest nation on earth, there’s no argument there. I think, people who disagree are probably focusing on the stress and hard work that comes with achieving the “American dream”, where some achieved it and many are still struggling. It’s great mainly for the opportunities it has to offer. No other country does that, even Europe isn’t that easy to have access to as much opportunities. The truth about it, for a country to be great, you have to do some dirty works which is what made it become great. It’s all about conquering. I’m a proud American. At the same time, I’m a proud Nigerian because that’s what makes me unique from any other American. I love my culture, food, music, it’s close to my heart.

      Going to America for financial and military support is slowly changing. China is fast growing, the second greatest nation. America borrows most of their money from China but the difference is, I doubt china will ever be a melting point of people from different walks of life the way America is. Also, there will be shifting of power soon, whether we like it or not. America will not always be this great. It was once Europe, but look at Europe now.

  • Yah

    blah blah blah…yaddah yaddah yaddah

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/thesapphireempress96?feature=results_main A.J.

    The pride about being an American has always been a thorny issue for Black people, especially Black Americans. I see it this way; even though this country has a history of treating my people wrong, we’ve contributed so much to it, and are a major part of its fabric, even though people don’t want to admit it. And I’m not going to denounce my status as an American because some small-minded person feels that me and others like me don’t deserve to have pride, too. Overall though, I am proud to be an American, and it is hurtful when others have these stereotypical views of us. A handful of irresponsible, intolerant people does not stand for the majority of Americans.

  • redfingerpaint

    If you ask any person that is an immigrant to this country, they have a flag in their home of their country. Whenever my Republican friends discuss the wealthy paying more taxes I always use the same line:

    If brave men and women can go overseas to give us freedom, why do wealthy men and women have a problem giving financial freedom to their country?

    –
    Regarding the Affordable Healthcare Act, anyone can opt out of it by getting their own private healthcare. People that don’t have healthcare go to the hospital at the last minute. When you wait until the last minute, you’re more likely to need major surgery which costs thousands of dollars. By giving everyone healthcare, they can go when symptoms first show up and get whatever medication/procedure they need. Like the U.S. Constitution states, EQUALITY FOR ALL!