Happy Birthday Amerikkka

Happy Birthday Amerikkka

It’s Fourth of July. No one really cares here in South Africa. This is not the United States. But we began to celebrate the day of our indepdence with a shot. A shot to America the free. Okay, so this shot was the Republicans idea. Thank you for the free shot, that I do not mind having. (Note: this strategy is known as what Emma Perez calls “strategic essentialism). I am American out of convenience. I am Mexican when I need to be. I am straight when I have to be. I am queer when I am free. 

Therefore, save myself money and get the free shot and thus I am American.

But, I will not cheer to America’s birthday.

Yes, this country has granted me many opportunities. Those that I would have never been able to experience had my parents not decided to immigrate to this country.

But at the expense of what? Of who?

Dare call myself free when NAFTA has killed hundreds of mujeres in Juarez. Should I be proud of this country who cannot admit to the genocide of millions of American Indians, those indigenous to the land? The country that claims to practice all forms of democracy but has gone into many countries to alter the electoral decisions?

Yes, I am thankful for all those privileges. And yes, I have taken advantage of many of the richness that the United States has to offer.

But I am still part of a country that continues to control the lands and resources of millions and millions of people world-wide. And I, like the rest of us, are responsible for it. Because, I have not challenged or denied myself of these chances. And while I am responsible, and admit my guiltiness, I still yearn for change.

But is that fair? That is my 4^th of July question. Is it fair that I take advantage of these resources at the expense of those that do not? If so, then how conscious am I really? Am I a fake activist? Activism should not be about personal gain but about communal success.  And the complexity of our consciousness continues to linger in these thoughts and the unfounded answers to the countless questions.

And this is my feckless contribution to my resistance. I will gladly take the shot, but continue to challenge those Americans that think this country is home of the freest an land of the bravest. This is the land of the privileged.