Happy Birthday United States

Happy Birthday United States.

You have had a long and complicated history. One we should examine fully. And often.

The Good.
The Bad.
The Admirable.
The Downright Ugly.

But the one thing that is most important…

You are always moving forward.

You, like people, tend to take 2 steps forward, and one step back.

And we are currently in that back-stepping period.

But that’s okay… I still believe in you.

I know that so many components of you, the citizens thereof, are afraid of moving forward.

They are worried they will lose something… which says more about them than you…

I wish they trusted you more.

With every passing generation, we have managed to become more inclusive, more diverse… blending our cultures and traditions into a beautify and unique tapestry.

And we will continue to move forward.

This storm will pass.

And we will come out even better than before.

Once upon a time, we declared that “All Men are Created Equal”

And at the time, they meant white men. In particular, those with property.

The great minds of that generation… that was what they knew. They could not see past the current standards of the day. 

But they had the right idea, even if they could not fully understand the entire concept.

And as time passed, we realized….

That all men, regardless of the color of their skin, are created equal.

That all women, as well, are created equal.

That the religion you chose to embrace should not diminish your equality.

That even if you weren’t born here, you are welcome here.

That we are indeed, all equal. 

And there was also day, when we finally realized that love was a beautiful thing, and that it shouldn’t matter whom you love. If you truly love someone, you should be allowed to make a commitment to share your lives together.

We were really on a roll…

And then…

Some decided love wasn’t cool…

That your pigmentation diminished your worth…

If you weren’t born here, tough… stay out…

That if you worship God differently than the majority, you are evil, you are wrong, you are less…

And that women should just stay in their place… “quiet piggy….”

My dear United States… it must be hard to be you.

But girl… I know you will be okay… you have proven it again and again…

I still believe in you, though at times, it has been so hard. I confess, that at times, I lost my faith…

That weakness is on me, not you, because you are one bad ass lady.

Happy Birthday Girl.

You got this. We’ve got this.

We, the People… we’ve got your six.