Proud to be an American...

I'm Black and I'm proud.
I was born in the United States of America.
I am however challenged to live fully in my beautiful black skin in the United States of America and heartily declare "I'm proud to be an American."

On this Fourth of July, when all across the United States we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of these United States, the idea of fireworks and patriotism are for me sources of guilty excitement. As a native Washingtonian, born on the soil of the United States, steps from the US Capitol and the White House, I admittedly enjoy an enormous amount of privilege. When I consider the present day plight of my sisters and brothers of a darker hue throughout the world, and even within the United States, I feel guilty celebrating the liberation of my country because I'm keenly aware that the founding of my country came through centuries of exploitation and denigration of black bodies- like my own. In pockets of my country there are still many non-Blacks who see my skin and immediately perceive I will behave a certain way, that as a single mother I'm greatly dependent on social services, that the stereotype of a single black woman is honest and true. But I'm Black and I'm proud.

Right now, soldiers from the United States are presently engaged in wars throughout the world. Our young women and men are fighting for security and the perpetuation of United States privilege; and many of them when return home after the wars, some injured, most psychologically shaken, and few positioned to enjoy the fullness of the privilege for which they've fought. Many will return to neighborhoods where their neighbors have been forced out of their homes due to the foreclosure epidemic. Others will return to families overwhelmed by debt, barely able to make ends meet. Sadly some will return and battle suicidal tendencies as a result of what they've seen- the innocent lives they've slaughtered, nightmares of their own lives being endangered; and they may or may not have healthcare coverage sufficient for long term trauma care.

So today, yes, I'll likely head down to the Navy Pier to watch the fireworks. I'll be among my fellow Americans, but deep down I'll wrestle with these and other realities of what it really means to be proud to be an American.  I'm not alone, check out John Legend and The Roots cover of Bill Withers' "I Can't Write Left-Handed."

Are you proud to be an American?