By Naomi Yee
I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed last week, and I noticed this status update by a kid from Las Cruces: “Americans are like Texans. They suck, but think they’re awesome.”
First of all, this has to be one of the most ridiculous posts ever. My initial reaction was to tell this kid where to go, but I decided against that and did what any true patriot would do: I removed him from my friends list.
This remark from a high school kid really got me thinking about Americans and how truly ungrateful and ignorant we tend to be. We expect America to be perfect—and perfect it will never be.
I see this attitude a lot from my generation and from younger generations. We are so quick to pinpoint everything we dislike about America—war, religion, the military, politics and so on.
However, those who hate America the most utilize their First Amendment rights, which, by the way, they wouldn’t have if they didn’t live in this country. People are pretty fearless when the very things they hate protect them. It’s because of this “terrible” country that they can voice their opinions without fear of being persecuted. The freedom we have is a blessing that is taken for granted all too often.
In my 22 years of life, I have realized that there are many things wrong with this country. I consider myself to be a patriot, and I love this country regardless. I was raised in a very conservative home by a very patriotic father who, along with my brothers, served in the military.
Sadly, I do believe that we have declined morally since we gained our independence. However, I do not think that gives Americans an excuse to hate this country yet live in it and under the protections that it provides. Thanks to the wonderful Doc Elder and his Civil War history class, I now see everyone who hates America as Confederates who aren’t loyal to the Union. This is not OK.
I don’t think it is OK for people to disrespect this country and hide behind the Constitution. If you don’t like your freedom, you always can hop on a plane and head somewhere else to enjoy a more restricted lifestyle where you can’t openly express your opinion.
I do not agree with the Confederates seceding from the Union, and I don’t encourage people to start seceding—it obviously didn’t end well for the Confederates. However, I do applaud them for standing up for what they believed—that is something remarkable.
I say this to the Americans who love to hate on the country that allows them to do so: If you don’t like it here, no one will make you stay.