My 1st cousin many generations back was Martha Washington, I can trace one branch back to 1609-10 in VA. I can trace myself to Plymouth, and many others, most of my family that I have traced were here long ago. Yet, their version of America is not mine, it is not my childrens, nor was it my parents or grandparents. So, by their analogy of who is American, I am certainly as American if not more than some of them. Certainly more than Trump. So, what gives them the right to decide on the version of America for our country? Many fought and contributed to the Revolution being won, but my ancestor was Martha Washington who was married to George Washington who was a factor in winning the revolution and was the first president of the USA. I am on the Left, so is all of my family, my grandparents believed in equality for all people (race, gender, culture). They were born in late 1800's and early 1900's. They left AL in early 1900's and came West. I am closer to the end than I would like, particulary with my children, my grandchildren and great grandchildren facing this. For the first time in my life if I could pick them all up and leave I might consider it. But I also know that the fight will not just be here, is not just here. I just hope that I have given them what they need to fight, my real worry is the autistic son, the medically fragile and complex granddaughter, the sister who is developementally disabled, trying to find a way to care for them and protect them with so much at risk. And though some of us have the bloodline they speak of we do not have their vision of America at all. And my family is now made up of Mexican (3 branches), Korean, Chinese, and Thai. I hope that the elections we have had so far are an indication of what the American people want and hopefully will stand up for and fight for. That is the only way we survive this, there has to be enough willing to stand up and fight. I also hope we find the leaders we need as it is going to be a long and difficult road. I rattled on, I just do not understand how these particular people believe they get to decide for everyone when many came from immigrants themselves. We may still have elections and that is where our voice is, if only more took it seriously enough, but then we will have to deal with will those election results be honored? I am sorry for going on, been deep diving into things too long and perhaps need a break. Thank you for the writing.
My 1st cousin many generations back was Martha Washington, I can trace one branch back to 1609-10 in VA. I can trace myself to Plymouth, and many others, most of my family that I have traced were here long ago. Yet, their version of America is not mine, it is not my childrens, nor was it my parents or grandparents. So, by their analogy of who is American, I am certainly as American if not more than some of them. Certainly more than Trump. So, what gives them the right to decide on the version of America for our country? Many fought and contributed to the Revolution being won, but my ancestor was Martha Washington who was married to George Washington who was a factor in winning the revolution and was the first president of the USA. I am on the Left, so is all of my family, my grandparents believed in equality for all people (race, gender, culture). They were born in late 1800's and early 1900's. They left AL in early 1900's and came West. I am closer to the end than I would like, particulary with my children, my grandchildren and great grandchildren facing this. For the first time in my life if I could pick them all up and leave I might consider it. But I also know that the fight will not just be here, is not just here. I just hope that I have given them what they need to fight, my real worry is the autistic son, the medically fragile and complex granddaughter, the sister who is developementally disabled, trying to find a way to care for them and protect them with so much at risk. And though some of us have the bloodline they speak of we do not have their vision of America at all. And my family is now made up of Mexican (3 branches), Korean, Chinese, and Thai. I hope that the elections we have had so far are an indication of what the American people want and hopefully will stand up for and fight for. That is the only way we survive this, there has to be enough willing to stand up and fight. I also hope we find the leaders we need as it is going to be a long and difficult road. I rattled on, I just do not understand how these particular people believe they get to decide for everyone when many came from immigrants themselves. We may still have elections and that is where our voice is, if only more took it seriously enough, but then we will have to deal with will those election results be honored? I am sorry for going on, been deep diving into things too long and perhaps need a break. Thank you for the writing.
I understand better where we have been and why we are here because of your piece. Thank you.
🙏