Dear America,
As I write this letter, I think about all that I have learned about you through my education. From singing the “Star Spangled Banner” in Kindergarten to first learning about racism in my 8th grade social studies class to learning about the history of social justice in my junior year of college, I surely have learned much about you. But somehow, I am still left with questions as my understanding of my country has shifted throughout the years.
Why was I taught about “America, the beautiful” when the blood of my black neighbors notoriously painted the streets this summer?
Why was I told that America was the land of the free when Native Americans were violently pushed off their land to make room for “freedom”?
Why was it said to me that America is a country full of dreams, where you can do all that you put your mind to—when systemic racism leaves refugees stuck in a vicious cycle of working low paying jobs just to stay alive?
America, you confuse me. America, you frustrate me. America, I just don’t get it.
You say you are a beautiful country, yet you do not see beauty in your citizens. If you are for beauty, celebrate the differences and diversities in our nation instead of oppressing people because of them.
You say you are for freedom, then America, give my minority friends freedom. Freedom to walk the streets safely at night, freedom to drive their cars without fear of getting pulled over and shot.
You say you are for dreams, then America, let my refugee neighbors dream. Create actually equal opportunities for all people.
America, I pray that as I continue to learn more about you, and more about your history of horrors, that I may see you grow to love, celebrate, and honor all of your citizens. As I continue to grow up here, I pray my love for you would grow as I see these changes I long for begin to occur.
Betsy Mueller