And here I was, deluded that I AM galvanized by all of the above. Since you share a last name with the middle name of one of my favorite poets, I’ll let you guess who, I’ve decided to respect what you have to say. And also because you sound like you have cultivated all of the above — you went on to check out my poetry!
The country I come from is much much younger than USA. Though it’s founding took millions of lives, we have not forgotten the bloodshed. We mourn it. It doesn’t sit easy with me, that America in general has not the heart, spirit or courage to embrace its true history. Furthermore, I don’t see much greatness in the direction it’s taken, though lofty ideals are trilled at us. I expected a lot more enlightenment when I got on a plane and headed for the hallowed halls of University of Chicago, a White Island in the midst of a ‘Black Ghetto.’ Which truly appalled me. America was still Segregationist! Wow. And brutality of a private police force towards anyone of color who blundered into U of C territory, made my blood run hot and cold. Decades later, I was to see a worse version of that behavior at University of Pennsylvania. In the 21st century. My child made the mistake of being seduced by Ben Franklin! Turns out greatness is relative — Trump and progeny also are alumni. So much for Ivy Leagues.
I no longer harbor delusions about America. I love the geography. Nature. It’s Seasons. It’s Parks which are now threatened by Trump. I cant abide sneering smug people. But I have to say there’s something that pulls me back to it. Every year, like a migratory bird. Could it be ten brands of toilet paper? Trader Joe’s? The wretched ‘Columbus’ Day sales? I no longer find inspiration here, to be honest. I feel too much anger at my own broken dream of an America projected as utopia by the USIS back when I was growing up in the old country. It was still officially segregationist then. An Apartheid state Only I didn’t know it. I saw Jack and Bobby Kennedy and Malcolm X, MLK in my fantasies. Dr. Kildare! Tv show.
You are kind, but still, patronizing. See, my white friends can only patronize me. It’s insincere. You sound young and thoughtful. I wish you the best.
Be safe. 🙏🏽
