on: Thankful to be American
What an ungrateful girl. Doesn’t realize what she had growing up in America.
May have crossed a mind or two from my previous letter. I clearly do not want to be living in America right now. Do not want any part is associating my identity with that of the violence in response to racism.
However, it would be foolish and unfair to reduce a country down to the one issue dominating minds, actions, politics, and news channels at the minute. America is more than her worst days. There are aspects of American culture that I no longer prefer. But I am fully aware of the privileges afforded to me by being raised in the “land of the free”.
Let’s start with the landscape. You like the sun? Move to Florida. The rainy? Move to Washington. Oceans outline forests, plains, mountains, desserts, and rivers. Exploration is limitless within America. I grew up in Louisiana. Lived most of my life in Maryland. Visited New York, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado, West Virginia, and all the rest. Without a passport. In a car. The travel possibilities are endless in the vast space of America. How very different from nearly every other country in the world.
Education. The more I am exposed to poverty around the world, the more I realise the power one has if she is educated. And yet, dozens of countries that fill our world are not, or choose not, to educate their citizens. Women have even smaller chances to learn maths, reading, and writing. But I didn’t think twice about the value of education growing up. Of course, I go to school – who doesn’t? Apparently, 264 million children. Of which I was not one. I completed 11 years of schooling. And then went on to attend a renowned university. The privilege of education in America is undeniable.
Positivity. Now, I realise it cannot be assumed that all Americans have positive outlooks on life. Can’t class each human being into one category. But come live in Britain for 10 years and you will find a sharp distinction between the American optimism and the British pessimism. Big smiles greet you in a grocery store. Not in the UK. Friendly chats on every corner. Not in the UK. “Can do” attitudes in each workplace. Not in the UK. You get in the picture. Americans are remarkably positive people.
Diversity. I am currently raising boys in the small valley town of Merthyr Tydfil. I can guarantee if we continue to live here, I will have to work to expose them to people of different cultures, countries, and colours. There is a whole lot of white of here (not the case in cities). America has prided herself on being a mixing pot. Up until the recent presidential administration, people from different countries were generally welcomed in. Not only welcomed but encouraged. Diversity is beautiful and has historically been celebrated in America.
Freedom of speech. Respect for women. Work opportunities. Ability to vote. Entertainment. Health and dental care. Phenomenal food (in part due to diversity). Small town communities. Bustling cities. Legal systems. Safety (though this currently feels threatened).
There is much good about America. Even recently. Policeman walking alongside protesters. Men, women, and children peacefully standing arm and arm calling for change. Communities weaving together for the common good. Children gleaning from parents how to take a stand against injustice. Artwork being created to raise awareness. There is much good about America.
Even in the overwhelming darkness, a light shines.
I am anything but an ungrateful girl. I may not be proud of the violence. But I am thankful to be American.