I am a patriot
On this Independence Day, I feel like we need to take back the word “patriot” from the people who claim it in the name of white supremacy. America is unique. We are based not on the idea that we were born here and this land is ours by virtue of that fact, that our blood and this soil are tied together by millennia of history, but rather by an idea, a radical, inspiring idea, that all men are created equal. You don’t have to be born here to be truly American. You can be American by coming here and dedicating yourself to proving that idea true. We have never truly lived up to that idea, but we try. It’s a constant struggle against those who try to apply the myth of blood and soil to our country. But almost all of us are the product of other blood and other soil. We are all immigrants to this land, whether that was last week, two generations ago, 400 years ago on ships (in chains or not), or via land bridge before recorded history. It’s that idea that ties us together as a nation. That’s special. That’s unique. That’s worth fighting for. That’s why I’m a patriotic American. That idea, that all men are created equal.
This is another shot on 90 year old film. Blah blah blah.
Sun Jul 04 2021