America – A Matter of Perspective

I’m a Baby Boomer, born in the fifties, schooled in the sixties and seventies. I remember proudly reciting the Pledge of Allegiance each morning and singing America the Beautiful after that. Patriotism and love of country was part of our upbringing. And at the end of the day, the TV stations played the National Anthem while showing the flag, and then called it a night. I would venture to say that most of my generation still see ourselves as patriotic Americans.

Sadly, a very large percentage of our citizens seem almost ashamed of their country these days. The mainstream media and the Liberal Left have done their best to make patriotism a negative trait, almost a sin, while pushing a variety of socialist causes and trying to fundamentally remake our nation. Led by popular actors, singers, and celebrities of all kinds, the near hatred for America amazes me. In the end, regardless of political views, I truly believe it comes down to perspective.

Like myself, many Americans still see our country as the land of opportunity, a place where anyone can succeed if they are willing to work hard and apply themselves. I still believe in the American Dream. From my perspective, I live in a wonderful country, the best place in the world to live and raise a family.

Not everyone shares my perspective. There are people who think our country is killing the planet with our policies on the environment. Others think we are a nation of warmongers, clinging to our guns and attempting to force democracy on countries around the world. To still others we are a land of racists who hate anyone different than ourselves and close our borders not for protection, but out of hatred. America has many critics these days it seems.

Consider the perspective of Donald Glover/Childish Gambino who says This is America. Apparently, he sees this country as a hateful and violent place. Christian rapper Lecrae (someone I really like) gives us the song Welcome to America. He portrays our country as ungrateful and unwelcoming with yet another video filled with negative and disturbing images. Others are more direct. Pop singer Ariana Grande once said publicly, “I hate Americans. I hate America.” Rapper Azealia Banks in a Playboy interview stated, “I hate everything about this country.” I doubt their fans share my view of America. I prefer Lee Greenwood’s perspective, because I’m Proud to Be an American also.

Celebrities, including Rosie O’Donnell, Bryan Cranston, Samuel L Jackson, Lena Dunham, Neve Campbell, Cher, Miley Cyrus, Barbara Streisand, Amy Schumer, Chelsea Handler, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart, and others proclaimed they would leave the country if a certain person were to be elected President. It’s pretty clear they don’t share my perspective. Former President Obama loved to say “This is not who we are.” Many times, he was not speaking for me and many others who did not share his perspective. Again, it seems a lot of people don’t like this country very much. Back in the day, we used to say, “America, Love It or Leave It.” Maybe some of these outspoken critics should seriously consider that.

So, what should we do? How do we adjust our perspectives and learn to get along as fellow citizens? I believe the simple answer is to start looking forward instead of backwards. I don’t wake up every morning and remind myself that our country once promoted slavery. (Like almost every other civilization that has ever existed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery) I don’t constantly dwell on the ways we mistreated women and openly discriminated against them in the past. Focusing on the history and the sins of our past is futile. As a country, we have a decidedly checkered past, but we can’t change that. We can only go forward. Complaining about the state of our country a century or more ago only gives us a negative perspective that cripples our ability to deal with the problems of today.

Whatever your opinion of our current President, he is openly patriotic and is working to Make America Great Again. Now, we can debate the word Again and argue about whether we were great, are still great, or whatever, but how can any American citizen oppose and protest honest efforts to make our country great? Don’t we all want to live in a great country? Isn’t it time to stop apologizing for being Americans and start being proud? Again?

So, Happy Fourth of July! And maybe be grateful to live in a country that gives you the freedom you enjoy here in America. And spend a little less time opining about how awful we are and a little more time working to make things better. Even great maybe.