Lately, I’ve heard some pretty surprising claims about our country – accusations that the United States is a “third world country” or that our communities are “hellscapes.” When I hear something like that, I have to ask: Have they really seen our country? My community, located here in the heart of Alabama, is certainly not the dystopia they describe.
In fact, in this real Alabama where I live, the American dream is not dead—it is alive and thriving.
In my neighborhood about 19 years ago, a couple who were unable to have children of their own adopted five children over time. These children came from poor, destitute, and troubled families. Today, each of these children is an educated, ambitious member of society, and they are not only examples of the American dream, but also a lasting reminder of the obstacles that love can overcome. This is the America I know – an America where love and perseverance triumph over adversity, where people not only survive but thrive.
I would like to challenge my friends who believe this grim story: Look at your own towns and villages. Are they really the nightmarish landscapes where murderers roam the streets unchecked that some would have you believe? I have traveled to almost every state in our great Union, and in all my travels nothing has convinced me to doubt the greatness of our nation.
Contrary to the grim portrayals, the country I call home is not “a laughingstock around the world,” but rather a beacon of freedom that shines across the globe. My travels abroad have shown me that Americans are loved and respected in most places, but feared in others because of our power. These are not signs of a nation in decline, but one that still deserves attention and admiration.
This brings me to a question I can’t help but ask: Why have my Republican friends accepted such a bleak vision of our country? This is not the America I know, and I refuse to let fearmongering distort the truth. Yes, our country has its challenges, but it is still the land of opportunity, where communities like mine embody the resilience and optimism that have always distinguished us.
Is the American dream in trouble in some places? Yes. But dead? Not in my backyard. So I say to those who call our country “third world” or our communities “hellscapes” to come and see the real America.
In my state, we honor our veterans and admire those heroes who served our country in uniform. My father-in-law was a prisoner of war; he was no fool or loser. In towns large and small, we Alabamians celebrate the men and women of our armed forces on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. We would never disparage them in word or deed.
In my house and family, we respect women as equals, not as brood mares or servants. We certainly don’t think they should be important just because they’re “beautiful.” And I doubt many men in Alabama brag about how much better they look than a woman. In fact, we would think that if a man in Alabama did something like that, he might have serious mental health issues.
Have you ever heard of the late, great Merle Haggard? He sang, “If you ruin my country, man, you’re on my fighting side.” I guess some people don’t understand the spirit of those lyrics.
Our nation needs leaders who will be judged by what they build, not what they tear down. In my home, our faith teaches us not to be afraid, but to be courageous. It also teaches us to love our neighbors and live lives of service to others.
The United States is changing, and so is Alabama. We should embrace change, not just because it is a constant, but because the great American experience has shown us that change makes us stronger, not weaker.
So I say to those who see a nation in decline: Open your eyes and look around where you live. Are there vermin living around you? Are there immigrants poisoning the blood of your neighbors? We don’t need to make America great again, because it is already great. We should work together to make it good, probably like your neighborhood.
