When I was a kid, my family and I would always go to the see fireworks every July 4th. There was one July 4th in particular that I remember. My family, along with another close family, went up to the Hudson River waterfront in Hoboken and watched the fireworks light up the New York City skyline at night. All I remember was watching the huge crowd around me, laying down their lawn chairs and towels on the ground, enjoying some snacks with their families. Everywhere I looked, everyone was happy.

I remember thinking, "Wow, so this is what Independence Day means, for everyone to be happy." I am an American and I'm proud of being an American. In fact, there's no other country I would rather be a citizen of than the United States. Yes, I've traveled to many countries, but the U.S. has always kept me proud. I thought so highly of the government and the president and his roles. I loved anything and everything that had to do with the police or the FBI, I especially loved watching crime shows of heroic police officers arresting wanted criminals. I wanted to be an FBI officer or help out in the government in some way.

Anytime I would see a military official in his or her military uniform, my heart would start beating so fast. I wanted to join the army one day and serve my country. I view the U.S. as having the best military and government in the world and boy, I was so proud (I still am).

My idea of America back then was so innocent. I thought everyone who lived in the U.S. was happy with the laws of the land. Of course, back then I had NO idea about political parties and protests against the government. To me, it seemed as everything in the U.S. was perfect but slowly got uglier as I aged. Now, all I see is unrest and a deteriorating America. Anytime I turn on the news, all I see are news stories about how much people hate the president or the fights between police officers and people of color. It just seems to me that this America is slowly revealing its weaknesses every year as I grow up.

I'm now able to understand politics, something that would have been impossible a couple years ago. I can identify bias in news channels as well as keep up with Washington. As July 4th approaches this year, all I keep thinking is "Wow, the meaning of Independence Day has changed."

I'm hoping that the U.S. will one day show its citizens and the world that it is the country that everyone should have immense pride in residing in its land. I'm hoping that the ugly news stories will stop altogether and the media will work together to bring forth non-biased news stories. This July 4th, my only wish is to see my wonderful memory of the Hudson River waterfront to reoccur again. In the midst of what seems like chaos and uprise, all I would like to see our families smiling and laughing together, enjoying the fireworks and being thankful for living in this beautiful country.