Dear America: A Letter to my Country

Dear America,

What have we done to you? You, a country of diverse, beautiful, brave, strong citizens has become a country of small-minded cowards.

Why have we treated you so terribly? Smoke fills your air, breathing it in are workers digging holes through your skin, destroying homes of your natives.

Why have we closed you in? A country once founded by immigrants has turned culture against culture, skin against skin, in a battle of whose religion is safer.

Who have we entrusted you with? Our leaders, dripping with money, paying to hold you in their hands.

What's happened to the minds of your people? A once loving land now filled to the brim with those who can't get over the fact some people have different emotions than them.

Why have we started backward? The minds of your people had just begun to advance before something switched, now, hate is found around every corner. Especially those who are above us.

Don't get me wrong, I'm so fortunate to live in your beautiful lands. We've made so much progress since you were made, and I'm so grateful I was born in a free country. We don't have to suffer like your brother's and sister's citizens do. I'm just concerned that your people are forgetting we all truly are brothers and sisters.

We've been to the moon, we've been to the deep sea, but some of us still can't grasp the fact that no matter your color, gender, who you worship, or who you love, each of our hearts still pump blood.

You've been alive for over 200 years. You may be one of the younger siblings in your family but you're one of the most progressive. I'd like to congratulate you on how well you've done under some of the circumstances. I know it's not your fault, we've gotten ourselves into this predicament.

There's literally people saying "I'd like to give my child a good future." and other people saying "Yeah, but..."

There's literally people saying "My life matters." And others saying "Just a second..."

There's literally people saying "I'd rather be asked before I have sex." And others saying "Well, if you're acting the right way you should have a problem..."

There's literally people saying "I'd really enjoy being allowed to have a basic emotion and love who I want to." And others saying "Ew, that's gross, I don't think we can let that happen..."

There's literally women saying "I'd prefer having control over my own reproductive system." And others saying "No! We can't let that happen!"

There's literally African Americans saying "Why am I in jail? I just had a busted tail light..." And others saying "Maybe check your attitude??"

There's literally people saying "I'm actually scared for my life." And others saying "Ha! You're so triggered! Go find a safe space you special snowflake!"

There's literally someone reading this and thinking "She's so wrong, I hope her and her liberal buddies would drop dead..."

Ma'am, on behalf of your nation, I want to apologize for making you look so terrible in front of your peers. We've embarrassed you, and most of us are ashamed. I personally hope we can do better within the next few years. We'll make you proud, America.

With loads of LOVE,
Jamie Schenck