Well I don't have internet at home so I'm borrowing "Phoenix"s (ha) internet. I'd like to think I am subversively not celebrating the independance of a country that used to be under British colonialism who subsequently decided to colonize the rest of the world (through outright land grabbing/stealing, wars, and culturally). But does that make me ungrateful? Perhaps. Perhaps the real reason I am not celebrating is just because I don't like crowds and loud popping noises. Perhaps because it is just not the same without my crazy boisterous family. My mom called me today as if it were a holiday like Christmas or my birthday. My mother who rarely calls me. It made me miss her more. And I miss my family's amazing barbeques. Siiigh.
But really, excuse me if I'm not exactly too grateful to appreciate an independance day when I am still:
- not considered an american (Where are you from? San Diego? No, where were you born? The United States. No, where are your parents from?)
- where the idea of "patriotism" is agreeing with everything the president says
- when i associate the use of the colors "red, white, and blue" with people who staunchly defend man made borders and the refusal to give equal rights to women, people of color, immigrants, people based on their sexual orientation, etc.
I didn't mean to sound so pessimistic, but I can't help but be a little reluctant to celebrate today. I definitely miss my family, I definitely love bbqs, and I hope you're all enjoying the day (or for the lucky long weekenders) off from work.
P.S. I also went to class today. Yep, my instructor asked us what we were doing today and apparently the rest of my class wasn't too into celebrating the holiday either. So we had class. I can't believe I actually went.
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