The United States of America is an imperfect experiment, but a beautiful one. Let’s not lose sight of that, especially today.
America The Beautiful – My 2023 Memorial Day Reflection
On Saturday, I gathered at a friend’s house for an afternoon garden party. It has been a rather gloomy May in Los Angeles, but the marine layer burned off to a beautiful afternoon under a canopy of trees in his lush backyard.
The gathering there was so quintessentially American. A Vietnamese refugee who married a white man. A Japanese-American couple, one of whom was interned at Manzanar during World War II. Another white guy who married a Thai woman. The host was of Mexican and English descent; both of his parents were first-generation immigrants. A Mexican-American who married a white woman. And of course I married a German.
America is a diverse nation of immigrants and I am proud of that. And together, under the shade of trees, we sat and broke bread together, engaging in lively discussion and enjoying a potluck of food from cuisines around the world.
We took breaks during the meal to hear stories. This was my first time hearing an in-person account from Manzanar and I was transfixed as I learned about daily life in the camp and the profound contradiction of rounding up American citizens and seizing their property, but also asking them to fight for the very country that treated them as criminals.
And yet there was no bitterness. No hatred. That time in Manzanar was formative and even in the California desert, a community of Japanese-Americans rounded up and confined to a concentration camp turned that space into a lush and fertile garden not very different than the one we were sitting in. That did not justify the confinement, but this man made clear: “I am not a victim.”
Folks, there is so much wrong with America. There is so much we can complain about, no matter what side of the aisle we fall on. But once again, I turn to Bill Maher for great perspective (caution – language):
America is a bright shining city on the hill not because it is blameless, but because it has stood as a force for freedom, liberty, and human rights even as it has often fallen short of the lofty aspirations that form the basis of the American system.
Holding those who govern accountable is essential. So is never becoming complacent in pursing the goal to “insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”
But I am incredibly thankful this day for those who gave their life in defense of the ideal that Americans of good conscience aspire to. I am reminded that “freedom is not free” is not a trite slogan, but something we can see by visiting any military cemetery. This country did not just spontaneously generate from an ether of primordial ooze.
So keep fighting the good fight, but spare me the tripe about what a horrible country America is. It’s not. Even today, it is a beacon of hope in a dark world. I see that every time I travel.
Very nice write up!
Well done Matthew.
Nowhere else I’d rather live. USA!
Except maybe Switzerland. That country is next level legendary.
Haha!
A certain percentage of kids have bad parent(sl causing the kid to be wild and have no ethics. That kid will grow up and stab you. That is where America has to improve in the long run.
Another is out of control temper. A lot of gun deaths are from that.
Let’s take a moment on this memorial day to realize that Ron DeSantis went on fox news today to declare that when he’s president he will destroy leftism in this country. I take that to mean he will exterminate democrats.
Is this what our veterans died for?
What’s not to like? I certainly hope you’re the first.
Celebrating and calling for genocide of Americans on memorial day. Today’s republican, everyone!
Lol I doubt anyone would miss you Billy Bob
What a class act
I visited the Antiedam National Cemetery today. As always, I am overwhelmed by the fact 22,000 Americans were killed & wounded. (12 hours) in battle fighting for their vision of this country. With tears I returned home. I thank Matthew for this uplifting post. Please may we make peace.
Antietam
Thank you for the correction.
Chi Hsuan wishes the south won
Billy Bob wishes the British had won.
Chi Hsaun watched pearl harbor and cheered when the Japanese started bombing
We love to call America an “experiment” in democracy. Perhaps it is, and if so, perpetual change would be a normal consequence. My hope would be that our perpetual change would actually move us in the direction of a more perfect union. My concern is that we don’t seem to be moving in that direction.
America is not inherently great; it is great because we choose to make it so.
I feel like this might have been a more appropriate 4th of July post. Yes I know you got to the heart of the issue in the second to last paragraph, but… I dunno.
Great article Matt. I am first generation on my mom’s side and second generation on my dad’s side. Both sides of the family came here for the opportunities available in the US. It breaks my heart to see the where our country is headed but I have hope and it’s still the greatest country in the world. Also proud to be a Navy veteran.