“America: Love it or Leave it.”
That’s all that was written on a billboard I passed just outside of Tampa, Fl., last week.
I’ve spent almost 20 years in this country, so it was less than surprising when I saw it. My friend who was visiting from Scotland, however, was amazed at the ultimatum.
But he quickly got over it when we stopped for our 86-cent Polar Pops and $1 burritos.
It’s difficult not to be embarrassed at the flamboyant regard that some people hold for America. In the two years I have been in college, I have been to more USA-themed parties than I can count. Watching the Olympics, Election Day result parties, the Fourth of July — it’s all a blur. An alcohol-induced red, white and blue blur.
Since the tragedies of 9/11, we’ve witnessed a new sort of American pride. It’s become more aggressive and defensive of what it means to be an American. In fact, it seems that the worst thing we could call someone is “un-American.”
And if you were around for the 2008 or 2012 presidential elections, I’m sure you heard that phrase a lot. The first I ever heard of Barack Obama back in 2008 was during a debate over his birth certificate and whether he was truly an American.
The law that keeps people who are not natural American citizens from running for office serves a purpose: keeping any enemy of America from sneaking into office and turning the country upside down. But it also seems a little strange.
I didn’t choose where I was born and frankly, after 20 years, I wouldn’t choose America. Sure, we’ve got those 44-ounce drinks for pennies on the dollar, and we have Taco Bell restaurants all over the place, but what about education or health care?
The American dream seems to be a mirage. Imagine the first 30 years of your life as a desert with scarce resources. You keep going, moving along through the desert because you’ve been told that if you just walk long enough in the heat you’ll get to paradise.
As we’re struggling to take each step in our young adult lives, we imagine a white picket fence, 2.5 children and a job that we enjoy and earn enough to live comfortably.
But after such a long journey we’re tired. So we accept the Polar Pops, burritos and small air-conditioned apartments. And when we look around, we see everyone else accepting it, too.
A family member of mine once said that the most un-American opinion I could hold is to vote for Barack Obama. I disagreed. I think the most un-American thing I could ever do is avoid being critical of my government and fighting against a government that wants to infringe on my beliefs.
You may recall this thought process as it was popular in the 1600s when a group of British citizens were upset with their government, and they sailed across the ocean to escape the oppression.
This week, we’ll be blinded with flashy red, white and blue propaganda reminding us that our country is the greatest. But while you’re accepting those 50-cent red and blue Jello shots or purchasing that American flag bikini, try to think about what America you’re celebrating.
Greed, lust and political corruption have been the backbone of American history. Kevin Spacey’s character in “House of Cards” didn’t invent blackmail, and our nation’s capital certainly isn’t exempt from it.
But hey, this is America right? If you don’t love it, leave it.
Jana King is a 20-year-old communication studies junior from Ponchatoula, La.