Why Am I a Proud American?

Today is our nation’s birthday, 244 years old to be exact since July 4th, 1776 and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But at this moment, there are many questioning the essence of our nation. Who are we, as a group of people, as a nation? Is there a different America for Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, American Indians? How about by gender - male, female, trans-, hetero-, homos-, metro-sexual, etc.? Who are we – the Americans?

Over the last few years and  accelerated in the past few months, the divisions between the blue and red states, the masks and unmasked, the employed and the unemployed, the young versus the old have widened significantly – tearing at the very fabric of our society. There are much sorrow, nearly 130,000 Americans dead unnecessarily (likely rise above this number by the time you read this), unemployment rate in double digits, and even our friendliest of allies are asking us to stay away. Surveys after surveys show that there are significant drops in how we perceive ourselves and how others view us. Yet, despite all these, here are the three reasons why I remain a proud American.

1. Our founding fathers knew that our nation is a great social experiment in the pursuit of continuous improvement. In the Preamble of our Constitution (and I urge all Americans to read this scared document during this Fourth of July), it stated “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union…” This social experiment is live and active, whether it is shown through the peaceful protests throughout the nation, on the masked face of concerned citizens not only for their health but for the safety of our community, or on the bruised faces of our doctors, nurses, and first responders. We strive to be a more perfect nation. Despite the failure of leadership at so many levels in our nation, I remain hopeful that the spirit of improvement is live and well. I predict that this November 3, 2020, we will have record turnout for the national election.

2. The illusion that we are special has been shattering for some time. The city on that shining hill is illuminated for all the wrong reasons: less than 5% of the world population but around 25% of the infected and dead, the pride that we are the beacon of the “free world” is at least dimmed, and the alliances that we painstaking nurtured in the past 80 years is being unraveled in front of our eyes. In our journey to be a more perfect nation, we appeared to be taking a sharp detour as we pursue transactional gains, often at the expense of our strategic interests. But in ways big and small, I see our people responding through individual actions. Whether it is collecting and donating masks, collecting and contributing food to the needy, volunteering to help senior citizens such as food buying, or coming out to vote like the brave Wisconsinites. So I hope that this nightmarish detour will be over soon and it will rejuvenate our national spirit and continue the march to be a more perfect nation.

3. The last reason is profoundly personal. My family and I came to United States when I was nine years old. Despite the many difficulties at first, we felt at home. I attended New York City public school then, and the government not only provided free schooling and free meals during the school months, but also free meals during the summer recess. Even though I was young, I understood back then the generosity of the American people. Like so many other immigrant families, we help to build and better our society through paying taxes, creating jobs, serving in various ways and volunteering our time and resources for good causes. It frankly breaks my heart witnessing the cruelty at our borders as we separate families, especially children from their parents, and our treatment of the Dreamers, who are as loyal to America as anyone in the world. But the most recent Supreme Court ruling of upholding DACA gives me hope that despite the many wrongs, we can continue to embark on our collective journey to be a more perfect and generous nation.

Who are the true Americans todays in U.S.A.? The original Americans are the American Indians, who are still repressed today. How about the immigrants that arrived at our shores since 1776 and the more recent times? I propose that we define Americans more broadly – those who believes in freedom, our Constitution, and this beautiful land that we call U.S.A. To the American readers of my musings, are you proud to an American? I hope you are, as there is so still much to celebrate. And let’s vote on November 3, 2020, so we can together make American truly great again.

Happy birthday America and God Bless the U.S.A. (Lee Greenwood and US Air Force Band)!