I think it’s time to take back the American flag. Every 4th of July my patriotism swells up. No, it’s not an infection or rash that requires ointment, but an honest to goodness sense of pride about what my grandparents went through to get here.
America has a long way to go to be a fair and equal place for all. This is a TRUTH. The forefathers had manifest destiny so far up their asses they had no capacity to be circumspective. Poets did not land on the shores those 400-odd years ago…it was businessmen and soldiers.
Manifest Destiny: the 19th-century doctrine or belief that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable. -Oxford dictionary
My adopted and blood families migrated in the 1900s from places like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and Cuba. America is a nation of immigrants. I will have peace in my heart after there is a true reconciliation with the children of the North American tribes and those from the African continent the founders kidnapped to be used as slaves. These are wrongs that must be made right.
I’m an American, a Humanist, an independent liberal, a mother, sister, friend. I’ll admit, I’m hesitant to fly the American flag, wear a flag shirt, or even stars and stripes hair clip without a sense that people will assume I am an ultra-conservative. Our country has committed so many wrongs, however, it hurts seeing white supremacist in my own town use the American flag as their LOGO for their version of “freedom and truth.” It’s time to take back the flag. America is an experiment that should succeed, that I hope will grow and evolve.
Truth, Equality, and Justice for all are calling us. I pray we answer.
shannon p. laws 