It's rude and I'm not doing it
You can't make me celebrate The American Dream™
Friends,
It is straight up rude to expect me, in 2025, to brave the elements of the worst season of the year, wave a flag without rainbows on it, tear up at how “great again” it is, and gaze at the dude next to me whose political views likely have fundamentally limited my freedoms in this country. No. Thank. You. Sir.
I get some people—like the white folk who don’t have to worry about being disappeared off the streets (yet)—might be feeling like things are a bit better than they were when Elon had the keys to the castle. But this thing called The American Dream™ isn’t really working out for anyone who's been disappeared off the streets, fired by the federal government, desperately sought emergency healthcare but then died because the doctor refused to treat them because it might look like an abortion, or has to pay more taxes than the man who took over Venice by flying in 90 private jets for his wedding.
So IDK, y’all, have things really gotten better? If you ask me (you kinda did cause you’re here reading this), it's as bad today as it was a few months ago, if not worse. But I am proud of us. Americans are adaptable and willing to put up with some authoritarian shit all in the name of exceptionalism.
I've never been one for celebrating July 4th, so I’m not really going to be missing out. Nationalism isn’t my thing as much as radical feminism, and the performative patriotism that surrounds this holiday has always felt hollow to me. Just another day to sell a bunch of shit made overseas in the name of ‘Merica LOL LMAO and pontificate about the greatness of a country that wouldn’t exist without the people who were here first before we committed some genocide and fought some wars and drew some arbitrary borders. And now those very people who have helped make this country what it is and our lives fundamentally easier are being picked up off the street by masked agents in unmarked vehicles and taken to locations that are inhumane. But don’t worry—we’re going to build so many more camps that we’ll have bountiful prison labor ( or should I say concentration camps) to perform all the jobs they were getting paid for before we decided they were the ones responsible for the cost of eggs.
So no flag-waving from me today on the Fourth of July. But I certainly will be thinking about what it would actually take to make America great again, not the racist/fascist version, but the real work of building a country worthy of celebration.
Here's what's on my list:
Universal healthcare. A system that treats healthcare as a human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. Where people don't have to choose between insulin and rent, where medical bankruptcy isn't a thing, where emergency rooms aren't used as primary care because people have nowhere else to go.
A fair tax structure. One that doesn't allow billionaires to pay lower effective tax rates than teachers and nurses. Where the wealthy actually contribute their fair share to the society that enabled their success (through our addiction to scrolling and fast and free shipping).
The elimination of super PACs. Getting dark money out of politics so that our representatives serve constituents, not corporate donors. Restoring democracy to actual people instead of letting it be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The return of single-family homes to individuals, not venture capitalists. Housing as a human right rather than a commodity for tech bros and hedge fund managers to make shit tons of money off of. Communities where teachers, firefighters, and nurses can actually afford to live in the places where they work.
The reinstatement of Roe v. Wade. Bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom as fundamental rights. Healthcare decisions made between patients and doctors, not politicians and judges.
A pathway to citizenship that honors people's sacrifices and hard work. Immigration policy rooted in humanity rather than cruelty. Refusing to use derogatory language like “illegal” or “alien.” Recognition that the people willing to leave everything behind to build a better life here are exactly the kind of people who make America great.
What's on your list? What issues are important to you? What changes do you want to see?
When I think about what would make me proud to be an American, it's precisely the things that are being systematically taken away from us right now. The ability to openly challenge our government and demand that it serve us, not billionaires. Affordable healthcare and safety nets for the poor. The expectation that we will not be subject to human rights violations simply for existing, for protesting, for seeking a better life. That people deserve fair treatment under the law, regardless of their status, their wealth, or their background.
These aren't radical ideas. It’s wild they’re considered progressive ideas. It’s basic human dignity that plenty of shit hole countries have figured out. They're what a functioning democracy should provide for its people as a baseline.
So no, I won't be celebrating today. But I will be organizing for what we could still become. Doing my research on mutual aid groups to invest in, thinking about how I can share resources instead of hoarding them, sending emails and calling elected representatives (I kinda feel bad for that kid on the other end of Amodei’s line that I spoke to), writing more shit like this, and in general refusing to accept "this is just how things are" when we know damn well they don't have to be this way.
Until next time…
Jen
Thanks for reading! All typos are intentional to make sure you’re paying attention.