About a week ago, an Iranian woman named Mandana Kashyap was gardening in her New Orleans home when ICE agents arrived, took her into custody and placed her in a detention facility. Kashyap, who has no criminal history, came to the United States in 1978 on a student visa. A court denied her application for asylum but gave her a reprieve by allowing her to remain in the U.S. as long as she attended all of her immigration appointments, which she had consistently done for 47 years, never missing even one.
Today is the Fourth of July. Growing up, this holiday meant fireworks, pool parties with hamburgers and hot dogs, and a whole lot of red, white and blue. Those were wonderful childhood memories—times when I cheerfully waved an American flag with a smile on my face. In recent years, though, our Independence Day has instead filled me with somber disappointment. Celebrating the United States, with all the horrendous news I hear near-daily, feels disingenuous and gets more difficult the further into adulthood I get.
On a day honoring the creation of a nation of immigrants, my heart feels heavy for those who do their best to follow the U.S. guidelines, yet still get punished. Some claim that ICE only targets criminals, but federal statistics show that nearly half of immigrants currently under ICE detention have no record of criminal history besides the civil offense of being undocumented, like Kashyap.
How am I supposed to be proud of a country that targets and demonizes people who are simply—and harmlessly—trying to live fulfilling lives in their chosen communities?
Last year, I traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of the National Constitution Center, which left me full of optimistic patriotism. Eleven months later (gosh, it feels longer), that sense of hopefulness is waning.
Perhaps our country has always been flawed enough that had I always been aware of political goings-on, I would have been more reserved in my jubilation. But I can’t help but feel that having the word “United” in our nation’s name is more of a juxtaposition to the reality of our country than it has been in my lifetime.
Don’t misunderstand. I still love this country, but I am not proud of my country right now, at least in regard to the decisions our leaders in Washington, D.C. are making.
Callous Policies Cause Divide
Hostility is the root of much of my discontent with our country right now. My version of patriotism is wanting my country to improve to a point where it exemplifies empathy and basic human decency in all its practices. Meanwhile, too many leaders are sowing unrest through disregard of the Constitution and legal loopholes, creating division clearly fueled by bigotry and ignorance under the guise of pragmatism.
Leaders claim that increasing deportations will lessen crime rates, that imposing tariffs will strongarm other countries into lowering the prices on their exports, and that federal cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP are simply a way to combat “waste, fraud and abuse.” As a result of these policies, however, hardworking and tax-paying immigrants are being taken into custody under subhuman conditions; China, Canada and the European Union have imposed retaliatory tariffs on the United States; and millions of Americans risk losing health insurance and access to food pantries thanks to Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which passed in the Senate on Monday and in the House on Thursday
To me personally, these consequences seem fundamentally negative. But many willfully ignorant Americans are putting blind faith into leaders who are not experts in law, public health or economic theory.
Patiently Awaiting My Pride’s Return
Right now, at best, we are the Divided States of America. People have become so radicalized and polarized that compromise and fairness have left the equation entirely in some respects. I want us to be a “United” States again. I want other countries to respect us for our social programs and progress. But that’s not where we presently stand, and I’m not sure how or when that ideal will ever be realized.
I don’t mean to sound overly cynical. Again, I love this country. I hope and pray that one day I’ll also be proud of it again, too, and that I can have the same gusto over the Fourth of July as I had when I was a child. I want to celebrate, so I’ll continue to do my civic duty and vote in elections at all levels so that my voice is heard. And the Mississippi Free Press will continue our nonpartisan reporting on issues affecting Mississippians and Americans at large. Staying informed can mitigate harm.
Remember, history teaches that no matter how loudly champions of ignorance shout, they will one day run out of hot air. It’s near-impossible to stave off progress forever, even if the pace of positive change is slower than we would like.
Once my pride in my country has returned, once our name makes sense to me again, I plan on celebrating my tail off. In the meantime, for those whose red, white and blue spirits are still going strong, I hope you all have a safe, uplifting holiday weekend.
This MFP Voices opinion essay reflects the personal opinion of its author. The column does not necessarily represent the views of the Mississippi Free Press, its staff or board members. To submit an opinion for the MFP Voices section, send up to 1,200 words and sources fact-checking the included information to voices@mississippifreepress.org. We welcome a wide variety of viewpoints.
