4th of July

I used to feel very patriotic on this day, but I’m not feeling so proud to be an American right now. With all these attacks on our freedoms of bodily autonomy, of loving who and how we choose, it’s hard to feel like this is such a great country.

Right now I can hear the fighter jets roaring out my window and it reminds me of my days on active duty when I was proud to be wearing my uniform and supporting the missions those planes are now practicing for. I was so deep inside my cishet white closet and so naive about the massive cracks in our foundation.

Even now though I don’t regret my time served. I made some lifelong friends, got my degree, bought a house, and have my career all thanks to my time in uniform. I am still making new friends because we easily connect and bond through our shared status as veterans.

I am no longer that person who blindly believes that America is the greatest country. I know I live on stolen land and that I’ve benefitted from passing as white all my life.

Despite all that, I also know how powerful my passport is—the privileges it gets me and the opportunities I have. With that comes the responsibility to keep trying to make a difference, to keep trying to make this country better than it is. Even if I can only do it one person at a time. I have to keep trying.

So instead of wishing you a happy 4th of July, I’m going to wish you a safe and healthy 4th filled with love and moments of quiet introspection.

Be well, my friends.