Oh Say Can You See: A Star Full Banner

I stand at attention, listening to the notes of the Star-Spangled Banner. The notes convey our shared love of the country, our desire to see it overcome and thrive, and our belief that together, we can weather darkness and stride proudly into the light. But can I hold this to be true? Is America the land of the free, a sweet land of liberty? Is it the pilgrim’s pride – my home sweet home? Does the dream to reinvent oneself still exist? Will new stars be added for new states as more people declare, “I am American”? Or is Old Glory a star full banner…

I realize that my aspirational feelings are not shared universally, not even by all the fellow citizens of the self-proclaimed “greatest nation on earth.” Those with other feelings are not without reason. My nation has not always ensured life, liberty, and property for all. Mistreatment of people from the First Nations, enslaved peoples, marginalized people, and immigrant people has not been uncommon. Despite the less-than-immaculate track record, the United States of America has been the dream destination for those looking to better their lot and the lives of those they love.

Part of an Invading Horde

I am a second-generation born American. Two of my grandparents came from Europe in the early 1900s. They were not their homeland’s “best” by many metrics. By all accounts, they were poor, lacked higher education, were unemployed, and were orphaned children. My grandparents emigrated from Europe with their siblings, uninvited, fleeing unrest in Poland and Italy and fearing further marginalization. I consider it fortunate they were willy enough to make it through immigration procedures without a fluent understanding of English. Not everyone has been so lucky.

They invaded rural Western Pennsylvania, where they stole jobs from the locals—good all-American jobs, like coal mining, food service, and healthcare. And, they refused to conform to American norms and kept eating strange foods like perogies.

But despite being forced upon the Real Americans, they worked hard and thrived. They became entrepreneurs and nurses; some even enlisted in the US Navy. Their children went to college. They worked in industry or became teachers and NPs. One received a commission as a Naval Officer. They laid the foundations for my life.

We Are Not Living in Precedented Times

I am ever grateful for their efforts and sacrifices and want to build upon them. When I was younger, I naively thought that this was a straightforward endeavor. I realized that past generations were not perfect. Surely, each generation improved upon the last and the next upon them. I felt assured in my knowledge. I learned quotes from civil rights champions like MLK Jr., such as, “The Arc of the Moral Universe is Long, But it Bends Toward Justice.”

My concept of the world was shattered at some point, or more likely, at many points. It’s not my earliest memory, but the earliest world news event I remember is one of the scud missiles launched at Kuwait and the ensuing Gulf War. At the turn of the millennium, I prepped for Y2K. I was a high school senior in 2001. Can I yadda yadda yadda the next 2 decades? Most of you reading this were likely there for them.

Spurred to Speak

Embarrassingly slowly, I realized I had to reconcile my assumptions about the world and my place in it. It is a work in progress, and I continue challenging myself to expand my understanding. The results have not diminished my love of self or country but have spurred me to do more to make my world not only a place for someone as lucky as me but a place that makes the luck people need.

I have read the comments that ask where my rage was before. Maybe it didn’t exist, or I was too lazy to care or lacked the courage to speak up. I will unlikely always be the best person I could be, but I hope to be better than I was yesterday and redirect myself when I am not.

Mass Deportation Now

So, what does all this have to do with the National Anthem? The lyrics to The Star Spangled Banner were initially composed as a poem by Francis Scott Key called Defence of Fort M’Henry. He wrote them while detained by British forces after ships of the line shelled Fort McHenry.

Upon seeing the US Flag still above the fort, this descendant of English immigrants was so joyful that the fledgling Nation’s flag still flew over the fort that he composed a verse to share that feeling. I want to share that feeling.

However, President-Elect Trump’s transition team plans to prevent other would-be Americans from experiencing this feeling. The proposed drag net will ensnare naturalized citizens and more than the President-Elect’s usual targets.

Walking in Their Shoes

That brings us back to me standing at attention. I imagine I am an immigrant, huddled for warmth outside the President’s wall and denied entry into the land of the free. I may be seeking better opportunities. Maybe I want a better future for my children and their children. Perhaps I fled governmental collapse or gang violence and traveled hundreds of miles on foot carrying my child and all my worldly possessions in my arms. As the dawn breaks, I look up above the steel wall, and there, planted in a land that will never be mine, is the Star Spangled Banner. There is no more room for more stars. There is no room for me. What would I write?