The Fourth of July is upon us and with it comes countless barbecues, fireworks shows, and general drunkenness. The only holiday I dislike more than the Fourth is St. Patrick's day (the Fourth has a bit of an upper hand because underneath all the parties, there's supposed to be a patriotic message). I've disliked this holiday for some time, but the disgust grows steadily each year. I'm aware I sound like the most cynical person in this great country (hey, maybe I am!), but let me explain myself.
The United States of America is such a mess right now. Americans seem to hate each other more and more everyday, which of course isn't a new trend. We're facing the ugliest election in decades, still fighting a war on terrorism we'll never win, teetering on the edge of an all out race war if tensions get any higher, and oh Bible Belt moms are worried their daughters will be molested by transgender men in Target bathrooms. But, have your racist uncle fire up the grill and grab one of grandma's red, white, and blue cupcakes because it is the Fourth of July and we're proud American citizens!
I am proud to live here, don't get me wrong. I am thankful for the freedoms and rights that people in other countries are not granted. I truly love America and that is why it is breaking my heart. If we are the greatest country on Earth, why do we hate each other? Why does race, religion, or sexuality matter? Why do we have to choose between a liar and a bigot to run our supposedly great country? Why do we put on a happy face and pump up the fake patriotism for this sickening holiday? If you love America, please look at what it has become and be angry. Demand better of your people and your country.
Fake super patriotism has reared its head a lot since 9/11. Days following the tragedy had Americans coming together mourning and truly expressing patriotism for America. Shortly after, proud "Americans" started pointing fingers at Muslim Americans shouting "TERRORIST!!!" and feeling happy with their "patriotic" act. The media only spreads the hate and fear, latching onto mass shootings and digging for ways to be able to label it as a Muslim terror attack. But don't worry, if the shooter was a white man, he was just troubled (even if he flat out said he wanted to murder black people). It's clearly the entire Islamic population's fault for the mass shooting problems in America because guns don't kill people, people kill people! Then let's make it harder for those people to get those guns (that is gun control, not President Obama breaking down your door and stealing the gun you legally bought- that's what a lot of anti-gun control folks seem to think will happen).
If you love America, love all of it. Love its diversity, after all the country is the land of immigrants. This was never a white country, never a Christian country. That doesn't mean whites and Christians don't belong, they most certainly do because they help create the intricate, crazy melting pot that is America. This Fourth of July when you're munching on a hot dog and watching the fireworks, think long and hard about if this was really what the founding fathers would've wanted us to be like. Then again, 2016 is a whole lot different than 1776.
