Life Abroad: It’s Embarrassing to Be American Now

E Pluribus Unum.

That’s the motto of the USA as established by our founders.

Unless someone is Native Indian, every American is the descendent of an immigrant. For the most part, NOT posh foreign emissaries but immigrants (rich or poor) who moved to the USA to live a better (or different) life. E pluribus unum means “out of many, one” which I used to believe.

I was proud to be an American when I began living overseas in my 20s. I also used to believe that we were the greatest nation.

Today it’s different. Divided. Darker. Daily mass shootings that don’t even make it onto the news as they’ve become so commonplace. More dangerous for immigrants and marginalised groups. Crazy people who believe everyday citizens should have the right to own weapons of war. And a clear message that there are no longer equal rights / women’s rights / LGBTQ rights.

Everything happening is wrong to me, a liberal Californian. Add to that the fact I lived in Spain during my formative early adult years (for 12 years beginning at age 22), which taught me that healthcare is a HUMAN RIGHT from birth ‘til death in every other 1st-world nation and that normal people don’t own guns. I’m mortified.

WILL THE U.S. BE OKAY?

There is way too much hate and “US vs THEM” rhetoric today to believe the motto “out of many, one” still forms the foundational bedrock of the United States of America.

I used to be incredibly proud to be American but now — like many of us who live abroad and are watching the horrors of what’s happening from afar — I feel incredible shame over our government … yet still hopeful because of individuals forming The Resistance.

Vive la résistance ✊🏼