Ubi Sunt – Nobis

Yes. I have hated America. From childish adoration sprouted disillusionment, disgust; embarrassment. Shame.

Doubt the empire.

I could wax poetic on this. But it’s fairly simple.

All of the people I love are here, in this capital-A capitalistic place. They are my family, my clan. Some of them are not from here. Some of them to not love here. But they are here. So it must be protected. Yes. Change is in order. But that is not just here.

There may be better places to be. And there may be people I will love deeply and well, outside of these wide borders. I haven’t met them yet, and I hope I will soon.

I guess all I’m saying is– nationalism does work.

First is human life.
But after that, is clan. Here on this earth, that is what matters; that is what matters to me.

My clan is here. And intricately part of the here.
So even in a culture, a community, where it is not cool to say so; even when I know there are parts of the way things work here that hurt me and deny me rights; even when I can see a bit of that man behind the curtain: I do love this country.

There are problems, but it grips me, this America. And I won’t ask forgiveness for that.