Both And

I am proud to be an American.

I am ashamed to be American.

It’s both.

I am incredibly grateful for my freedom.

I am sad that someone paid the price for that freedom.

I am glad to be in this beautiful land.

I hate that this land was taken from the first Americans.

I love that people want to come to our country.

I cry thinking about how we are treating people coming to our country.

I want to honor those who fight every day to keep me safe, healthy, and free.

I want to expose and remove power from those who fight every day to exploit, terrorize, and oppress the people who don’t look or sound like me.

I pray for God to bless this country.

I lament to God over the state of this country.

I wear the uniform of the USA Women’s Soccer Team because I am proud of them and they inspire me.

I did not wear red, white, and blue on Independence Day, because I am not proud of everything this country is doing.

I celebrate our history as people who fight for justice.

I regret that we have ignored some of the injustices in our history.

I am encouraged by neighborhoods coming together in times of need.

I am discouraged by neighborhoods acting out of hate and fear.

I dream of what this country could be.

I ache over what this country is right now.

It’s both.