Before I even begin here, I am well aware I may get harsh feedback for what I'm about to write. But before you get on your patriotic high horse, hear me out. America is not living up to the standards it proclaims to have. We should no longer be considered the greatest country on Earth. We are honestly far, far from that.
Yes, we have more freedoms than practically any other country on Earth. Yes, our government is set so the people have a say in who runs it, but honestly the cons outweigh the pros.
I am honestly ashamed to be an American in 2018.
I think the only thing Trump has gotten right is his slogan "Make America Great Again." Because we sure as hell are not great right now.
America is not great.
Because of all the mass school shootings that keep taking place and how lawmakers have no follow-through with actually working to do something about it. How many more children and teachers have to die before we make changes to gun laws??? When the Founding Fathers drafted the 2nd Amendment, they understood the new federal government they were ratifying might one day become just as tyrannical as Great Britain.
If it had the authority to control citizen access to firearms, then it could disarm them, just as the British attempted to do. This would make any attempts to restore liberties futile. The Second Amendment was specifically included in the Bill of Rights to prevent this. THIS was the original intention.
America is not great.
Because of how people of color are being increasingly targeted unfairly by the police, and society in general. I'm sick and tired of all the closed-minded racists who mislabel those of a darker complexion. Don't associate with me if you still think "white is right." Don't associate with me if you look down upon and judge people of color.
It sickens me to the core how a white man can rape a young woman and only be sentenced to 6 months incarceration but a young black man simply walking around his neighborhood unarmed can be gunned down?? Being white myself, I will never fully understand what it is like to live in America as someone of color, but what I can do is look out for my fellow human. I don't see color. I see people.
Side note: If you claim to be a good, loving person or even a religious person yet you go around spewing racist garbage, then newsflash: you are the piece of garbage. The Bible states to "love thy neighbor," and nowhere is it indicated that your "neighbor" had to be of a certain color in order to be loved….
America is not great.
Because of how we treat immigrants. Yes, I believe people need to come here legally and face consequences if they don't. However, the punishments are getting out of hand. Most of these illegals are escaping dangerous places and are seeking refuge in America. These people are usually families, mothers and children, sometimes even just children. There is no perfect solution to this problem, I know. But it sure as hell isn't locking up children in cages and separating them from their families like animals.
The fact that athletes kneeling during the National Anthem enrages people more than seeing children suffering in concentration camp-like cages is downright repulsive to me.
How is this ethical?
Take away the borders and the barriers and you're left with humans. Every single one of us is descended from immigrants, so to all of you who say that immigrants, legal and illegal, should "go back home," take a moment and consider how you'd feel if this was said to your grandparents/ancestors who immigrated here so long ago.
Oh, that's different you say? No, it sure as hell is not.
My grandparents immigrated here from Italy and worked tirelessly to create a life for themselves. And they, along with all the other Italian immigrants, received racist treatment from those who claimed to be "true Americans." All Italian immigrants, and just about every ethnic group that has ever immigrated here for that matter, were treated much like the Latino/Arabic immigrants are being treated today.
Do you all even realize that the reason you're in this country is because of the sacrifices your ancestors had to make as immigrants? And yes, many of your relatives may have even come here illegally
It's a shame how many of you seem to have forgotten what your loved ones went through and yet you view the treatment of immigrants today as justifiable....vergognoso.
I could go on and on, for the list never ends. I long for an America where we aren't judged by our race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. I long for an America where everyone "loves thy neighbor" rather than hates. I long for an America where we aren't divided over political parties. I long for an America that wants to help rather than hurt.
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