An important read as a reminder of a more general sense of place.
Who are we, as we battle to re-define "We the People?"
Who are we speaking of, when we speak of "the American?"
What people are we talking about, anyway?
-- The rich, the poor, those in the "middle" (however these are designated)?
-- White, black, yellow, red, grey, blue....or whatever ... people?
-- Those who speak English or don't, or speak several languages?
-- Christians, Jews, Protestants, Muslims, Mormons, Buddhists, or Satan-worshippers such as modern day New Born Evangelicals? Atheists?
-- Those who work? Those who don't or can't?
-- Those with university degrees? Those without high school?
-- Those who serve in the military? Those who don't or refuse to?
-- Are those who kneel at the National Anthem or who refuse to stand or sing, "Americans?"
-- Who is the "American," the protester who disrupts a House meeing, shouting for justice for all, or the cop who drags her out of the hall by command of the Speaker?
-- Is the ICE agent obeying orders by snatching the pregnant wife of a Marine veteran who was just leaving a courthouse having obeyed orders to arrive for an immigration issue, having her zip-tied, hauled into a black van, then driven off to a destination many miles away the "real American" or the Marine vet whose wife is now "somewhere" & in danger of being deported without any ability to defend herself? How about the pregnant wife?
These are "defining" times & we had best do some within ourselves, & very seriously.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/opinion/birthright-citizenship.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Tk8.OLw1.JJEu0Exh1l-K&smid=url-share