@usernameswift @icedquinn I have a different view than the ideological myth instilled into most children. The pledge at school always felt cult like to me, and I knew most kids didn’t understand what I meant. I grew up with the pressure of having to assimilate as a first generation daughter of immigrants. When I talk to my relatives they rave about all the sacrifices our parents made to give us better lives, but all I could ever think of was what a lie and sham the american dream is. I feel bad when I hear immigrant stories knowing that it was all for nothing deep down.

People from where my parents are from had to flee because of wars and genocides orchestrated by the CIA. It would be funny if it wasn’t factually true or morbid to think about, and family friends who remember fighting as child guerillas. Things haven’t changed much, but the people don’t forget. America has no place or moral authority for all the things they do overseas and to their own citizens. I’ve never been proud of being American, I never felt that I belonged and I constantly mourn for the displacement of my people. I am constantly educating and reminding people that I exist and that we are still here. My own boyfriend was surprised that Maya are still around.

@teratology @icedquinn @usernameswift I’m well aware of the CIA coups in South and Central America, as well as elsewhere, although I could use a review of that history. So I agree America has caused more harm than good with its international policies and means of achieving them, either covert or diplomatic and economic strong-arming.

Regardless, what do you think about the idea that immigrants leaving their war-torn, destitute countries to live in wealthy ones are abandoning their responsibility to improve their home countries? Is that too idealistic? Still, those countries are only getting worse, not better, and their working age and talented citizens are being drained by emigration.