07/04/2024
To all my American friends feeling some type of way today, I get you. Iām ā¢gratefulā¢ for what living in America has provided for me throughout the years: free public education through high school, safe water to drink, access to quality (not free) healthcare (IVF especially), beautiful cities with diversity in foods, arts, and culture, the ability to challenge authority without fear of persecution, not having to dress, pray, or speak a certain way, having zero censorship of what I can teach in my classes, being able to speak at city hall and meet with my representatives, the ability to voteā and I am sure more. I also know that my mostly middle-class, blue state, and white demographic self has experienced those liberties differently than othersā America has never been totally equal in that regard, of course.
But today many of us are sitting in our discomfort of yes, feeling grateful for living in the USA when we know how fortunate we are by comparison to other parts of the world, but also feel angry and disillusioned with our seemingly crumbling democracy. I personally am having a hard time celebrating todayā it feels hypocritical to my worries and fears. But I find comfort in knowing others are sharing my feelingsā that must mean there is still hope! There are tons of Americans unwilling to accept the direction America is headed and theyāre vocal, and theyāre working, and theyāre teaching, and theyāre protesting, and theyāre voting. And that is the glimmer of freedom and democracy Iām going to hold onto today when I eat a hotdog and have some chips and dip. And I know this might just work for meā not you. You might even judge me for it. I get it. But I hope you find some comfort in whatever you do or donāt do today.
āļøā¤ļøš Kelly
