This is US

   “This is not who America is.” Or some variations of that often get tweeted. But really we are who we are.

photo: John Moore/Getty images

   Without going into deep history lessons, just look at the outline from the onset. Points to consider:

***Immigrants from Europe came to conquer the continent. North America. Native Americans defended it the best they could, but were massacred, cheated out of agreements, hoarded away. Thus, their lives and land were stolen from them. This is America.

***Black people of color from Africa were forced here in ships under barbaric conditions. They were used as slaves, not even being considered as human, but as mere property. Families were often cruelly separated, as members were “sold.” This is America.

***Even after the Civil War, when slaves were “freed” there were actual laws that prohibited their freedom and participation in our institutions. There was overt racism, hatred, killings, hangings, lynchings. Many attittudes/ideas still exist today. This is America.

***Women too were considered property and were not allowed to vote, own property, etc. They had struggled long for the vote and other rights. Voting they got, equal pay they did not. This is America.

***World War II brought a hypervigilance toward the Japanese people. There were rounded up and placed into internment camps, even if they were American citizens. A total of about 150,000 people were incarcerated for about two and a half years. This is America.

   Through the years America has bitched about immigrants, against the Irish, the Catholic, the Jews, the Italians, the Japanese, the Chinese, the people of color. Yet they all assimilated and helped to build this country’s infrastructure, businesses, and even added to our culture.

   Now the immigrants, mostly from Mexico and South or Central America, are being labeled as rapists, gang members, “evil” people. Yes, many are illegally entering. There needs to be proactive laws in place. But the new policy proclaimed by the current administration is to separate children from their parents, no matter what their age. Rather than keep the family intact while awaiting deportation, they are forced apart, not even knowing where their family is or for how long. 

   These are like internment camps, concentration camps. Locking up, hoarding these kids, who don’t even understand what is going on. Child psychiatrists are speaking out about the psychological, long-term damage this can do.

   And not all are even “illegal.” Many parents have requested asylum, but now this administration will not grant it for fleeing domestic or gang violence. Instead, they’re being treated as “criminals.” 

   Right here in America. Separation of children from parents, psychological torture perhaps lasting their lifetime. This is America.

   We are a country who has gone downhill.  We are a country who lies. We are a country who labels, hates, discriminates, holds others hostage, backs out from deals with our allies, allows government leaders and appointees to profit off our hard work. We are a country who reneges on climate control agreement, allowing, practically encouraging more pollution.  We are a country who allows torture.

   This is who America is. I’m embarrassed. I’m ashamed. I do not agree with these kinds of policies. Many don’t. Many of us air our disgust about it and request our congressmen/women to take action, to fulfill their oaths of office’s responsibilities. What else can we do?

   Our leader is “representing” America, and this - all this acrimony and asinine policy - is what he wants, what he stands for. This is who he is, making America what it is. A nation of hatred, lies, lack of morals, being unethical and now psychologically torturing children.

   Our actions do matter. Our words do matter. We really are who we are. This is how America really is. A lot of work is needed to change towards who we want to become.        Theresa M.


quote from Bernice King (daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr)
on twitter (Be A King @BerniceKing) on June 16, 2018:

“Understanding that #ThisIsAmerica shouldn’t evoke hopelessness. Hope and truth are connected. Hope is not naivete. It is bearing witness to truth, STILL believing in better and yielding the energy to contribute to better.”

photo: John Hain  pixabay.com