I love America because people are here from everywhere. First generation keeps the old languages and customs; second generation is just American kids who drive the old folks crazy. Doesn’t matter where you came from. If you’re here, this is where you belong. Our immigrant and refugee policies are terrible (file under reasons to hate America) but our immigrants and refugees enrich our lives in so many ways: food, music, expanding dialogues, businesses, interesting neighborhoods.

I hate America because racism, xenophobia (fear of strangers), and misogyny (fear of women) are so deeply embedded in our culture. Too many of us have accepted them as though there was nothing we could do about them. I hate America because we take democracy for granted and 40% of us don’t bother to vote. I hate America because we’ve been bullying the whole world, bragging about torturing people, terrifying the Middle East with our armed drones. And refusing to acknowledge climate change even after New Orleans and the wildfires in California. Not to mention keeping the pandemic going, all by ourselves if we have to, because…freedom?

I love America because of our ideals of equality before the law, free speech, and human rights. I hate America’s failure to live up to them. I love that so many of us are trying to finally make democracy real.