Dear America: An Optimistic Open Letter
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Dear America: An Optimistic Open Letter

In a world often seeming to be consumed by trouble, it does good to reflect on the good

38
Dear America: An Optimistic Open Letter
Crosswalk.com

Dear America:

What the hell? Am I right? I guess I can only say that I empathize with your pain, because I’m right here, along for the ride.

You’ve got an election between two of the biggest narcissistic, philandering, egotistical maniacs in the country. You’ve got men of color dying in the streets, far too many people on welfare, debt that’s through the roof, and a foreign stage that you’ve not only slipped from but flat fallen on your face. Fear and uncertainty lurks around every corner.

And to be honest, I still can’t forgive you for doing away with lime flavored Skittles. I mean, what the hell?

In all seriousness though, things look pretty bad for you America. There’s been rumors, I’m sure you’ve heard. That this is the end. That you don’t got too much time left in your old ticker. That we’re all moving to Canada and gorging ourselves on maple syrup and free healthcare. That in 2016 democracy is dead, freedom is dead, and America is…well dead.

As much as I empathize with your pain America, I have to disagree on one front. Reports of your death have been greatly exaggerated.

American families and individuals gave $373.25 billion to charity in 2015 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), an annual increase of 4.1% from 2014. Corporations also gave $18.46 billion more in ’15 than ’14, a 3.9% increase. Charity also accounted for 2.1% of the GDP in 2015.

But you’re more than just a number America. Have you heard about the grandson who checked up on his hurricane-embattled grandma via Papa John’s? Or the police officer who saved a choking baby by reverse CPR?

Have you seen this picture America? The beautiful shimmer of the stars. The dazzling sheen of the lava. Nature and poetry wrapped up in one.

Image Credit: Mike Mezeul II

There’s the war hero who tried to kill himself four separate times before being united with his therapy dog, Onyx. Or 8-year-old Ella Scott who gave her steak dinner to a homeless man at the drop of a hat.

Look America, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Things aren’t perfect. The world isn’t perfect. There’s still hate and pain and agony and treachery and too little love in a world spread too thin. Things aren’t perfect.

But there is goodness here. There are people who donate and volunteer and help each other not because they’re obligated too, but because they want to. There is nastiness in this world, but there is beauty too. There is charity and patriotism and respect and love. There is love, if only we endeavor to find it.

I understand how a braggart like Donald Trump can make you think otherwise. I understand how a manipulative bureaucrat like Hillary Clinton can make you think otherwise. I understand how as terrorists behead civilians and evil threatens nuclear war and the numbness of drug use pales our communities, it can be easy to forget about this good. Humans have a tendency to fixate on the bad. To groan, to moan, to claim the victim and make our lives seem terrible. In some cases, our lives are in fact terrible. In others, we merely seek the pleasure of commiseration.

But don’t lose sight of those saved babies and service dogs and millions upon billions upon trillions of dollars given to feed the hungry and honor the veteran, America. Don’t lose sight of all that people do each and every day to make the world we live in a little bit better place. Don’t lose hope. By God America, don’t lose hope.

Sincerely,

A Friendly Neighbor

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

39689
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

24267
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950242
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

129692
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments