America is pretty screwed up.
From the moment The United States of America was founded to this very second, terrible things have been happening. This country isn't even ours, the U.S. killed thousands of people to obtain the resources and land that have gotten us this far, destroying a culture and a population in the process. Continuing on, our society has been a work in progress, it still is, and always will be. Learning of the horrors of our past make it incredibly hard to feel connected to the Government and our country's values. Denying unalienable rights to people regarding race, gender, and sexuality is still a problem today. Just a few days ago, Donald Trump approved the halt of DACA, a program that assists people from other countries to receive education in America.
In saying all of that, I completely understand when people have an aversion to this country. I completely understand the tension in America and the general distrust in our President. I am one of the masses, however, I still have pride in America.
A couple days ago, I was asked to stand for The National Anthem. Naturally, I stood, but I couldn't help but notice a girl directly behind me. She stood, turned to the person next to her and asked, "Wait, why are we standing" After hearing the response, the girl shook her head, said, "Hell no," and sat down, preceding to spew a list of curses against America while she tapped away on her phone.
This infuriated me.
I acknowledge that America has it's many, MANY, imperfections, but to blatantly disrespect America, on that level, makes no sense to me. Standing for the National Anthem does not mean just one thing. It doesn't have to mean you're endorsing Trump, it doesn't have to mean you approve of all the terrible things done by our government, it doesn't have to mean you appreciate how we became a country.
It can mean respect for those who died serving. It can mean the acknowledgment of how fortunate we are to live in a country that allows us to have the rights that we have. It can mean support for the thousands of families in America with family members that have been physically and psychologically affected by their service. You cannot imagine how many people are connected to the military. My dad, my grandad, my roommate's brother, the list goes on.
I understand both points of views. We all learned the same thing in eighth grade American History, this country is messed up. That doesn't mean I can turn my back on the years of hard work and sacrifice from people not responsible for these atrocities. I am a liberal college student who still has pride in America.
Even if you don't have the same pride, please find something to believe in, please find the strength to stand, if you don't stand for the country, please stand for the people.
