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Lately, I’ve heard some rather startling claims about our country — accusations that the United States is a “third world country” or that our communities are “hellscapes.” When I hear these things, I have to ask: Have they really seen our country? My community, nestled right 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’s alive and thriving.
In my neighborhood, some 19 years ago, a couple who couldn’t have children of their own adopted five kids over time. These children came from poor families without means and with problems. Today, each of those children is an educated, ambitious member of society, and they are examples not only of the American Dream but also of the enduring reminder of the obstacles love can overcome. This is the America I know — one where love and perseverance triumph over adversity, where people don’t just survive; they thrive.
So, I pose this challenge to my friends who have bought into this bleak narrative: Take a look at your own cities and towns. Are they truly the nightmarish landscapes where murderers freely roam the streets, as some would have you believe? I’ve traveled to nearly every state in our great union, and in all my journeys, nothing has convinced me to doubt the greatness of our nation.
Contrary to the dark portrayals, the country I call home is not “a laughing stock all over the world” but rather a beacon of liberty that shines across the globe. My travels abroad have shown me that in most places, Americans are loved and respected, and in others, we are feared for our might. These are not the markers of a nation in decline but of one that still commands attention and admiration.
Which brings me to a question I can’t help but ask: Why have my Republican friends accepted such a dark vision of our nation? This isn’t the America I know, and I refuse to let fear-mongering distort the truth. Yes, our country has its challenges, but it’s still the land of opportunity, where communities like mine embody the resilience and optimism that have always defined us.
Is the American Dream struggling in some places? Yes. But dead? Not in my backyard. So, to those who would call our country a “third world” or our communities “hellscapes,” I say, come and see the real America.
In my state, we honor our veterans and admire those heroes who have served our nation in uniform. My father-in-law was a prisoner of war; he was not a sucker or a loser. In towns large and small, we Alabamians, on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, celebrate the men and women of our armed forces. We would never disparage them with words or deeds.
In my house and my family, we respect women as equals, not as broodmares or servants. We certainly do not feel they should be important only because they are “beautiful.” And I doubt many men in Alabama brag about how much better looking they are than a woman. In fact, if a man did that in Alabama, we would think he might have serious mental problems.
Have you ever heard of the late, great Merle Haggard? He sang, “When you’re runnin’ down my country, man, you’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.” I guess the spirit of those lyrics is lost on some.
Our nation needs leaders who are measured by what they lift up, not by what they tear down. In my home, our faith doesn’t teach us to fear but to have courage. It also teaches us to love our neighbors and live a life of service.
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 we grow stronger with change, not weaker.
So, for those who see a nation in decline, I say, 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. What we should work together to do, is to make it good, probably like your neighborhood.
