Whether deserved or not, American-exceptionalism has been a common mindset in the U.S. If you're American, odds are high you feel your country is a bastion for freedom. In our Declaration of Independence, it is said, "All men are created equal." The Constitution declares all men possess freedom of speech and religion. Even the final line in the country's anthem is "the land of the free."
Well, as I sit here today, I can now confidently tell you, all of the aforementioned idealistic rhetoric is pure hokum. America isn't exceptional. America isn't a bastion for freedom. In America, not all men are created equal, let alone women. In America, not everyone possesses freedoms of speech and/or religion. America isn't the land of the free.
Sure, roughly half the nation strongly believes in equality for all, but the other half does not, and unfortunately, they have control of the country.
I wanted to believe in the American vision. I wanted to believe in the American dream. I wanted to believe we were a bastion for freedom. I wanted to believe we were a bastion for equality. But I was wrong.
America is a story of the white man stealing the nation from the Natives; marginalizing women; enslaving Africans; and doing everything in their power to maintain power, control, and privilege. When any other demographic attains a greater semblance of equality, they fight twice as hard to negate it through executive, legislative, and/or judicial means.
The fact of the matter is America is about two things: 1) White supremacy and 2) Patriarchy. We can try to deny it all we'd like, but that's what we are. We largely believe women belong at home and any person who isn't white belongs elsewhere. Sure, we can tolerate women in the workplace, as well as those with different skin colors than us, but only if we're their superiors. If we're not, then we whine and complain that it's not right; it's not fair; and the only reason for it is affirmative-action/DEI.
The rich white men own this country. They brainwash us through a constant barrage of propaganda; make us fight amongst ourselves, pointing the fingers at one another - all while they sit on their thrones, laughing amongst themselves. This has become progressively worse since the advent of the internet and social media. While more information is at our fingertips than ever before, so too is mis-/disinformation. So the rich white men lie to the country about the two major parties, knowing full well the Republican Party will continue to cut their taxes, at the expense of the middle-, lower-, and working-classes. A majority of voters buy into their hogwash; elect them; they continue to get richer; and then Democrats are expected to fully reverse the trend in 4-8 years. When that doesn't happen, Republicans get re-elected, and the cycle starts all over again.
A sliver of me wants to believe we can finally turn the corner and follow through with what our inclusive rhetoric implies, but I was naive to believe it could have taken place by 2024. For 43 years, I looked at the reflection of my country, hopeful a clear, balanced, beauteous picture stare back at me. I now look and see America's cracked mirror, in need of serious aid to ever become what I had previously envisioned.
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