I Celebrated US Independence as a Non-American - Why?
A few people may have been surprised to see me wearing the colors of the American flag today. I have never shied away from doing so, and even before today, I often wore my "God Bless America" hat. I am originally from Cameroon, one of the most beautiful and complete countries in the world. Its beauty doesn't lie in skyscrapers, advanced infrastructure, or architecture, but in its natural richness; it is blessed with a little of everything this planet has to offer.
Still, I have found myself in foreign lands, sometimes due to circumstances beyond my control, and other times simply for my love of traveling. The primary reason, however, has always been that where I called home didn't offer me the room to chase my dreams. I know people who never left home and still reached commendable heights, so I often self-criticize. I admit that I wasn't smart enough to traverse the difficulties and become who I wanted to be while still in my country. Migration is ingrained in the fabric of living organisms; from plants to animals to parasites, every species migrates. I simply happen to be one of them.
I haven't traveled as much as I would have liked, but I must admit that every time I have encountered different people and cultures, I have sought to be part of that society, learning the language, understanding the people, trying the food, making friends, and grasping the overall culture.
The USA stands unique in every way. Just as I love looking at things relatively, I adopted the same approach here. I grew up questioning the US's military presence and cultural influence in some of the most remote places on Earth. I have learned enough to piece it all together, and going into all that here would be unnecessary. However, I have to point out that the very right to freedom of expression, fair hearing in court, the public display of politics, accountability in government, and the unified messaging of the military abroad have cast out every doubt I ever had. In comparison, no country comes close. These attributes explain why US influence has spread far and wide, and why the dollar holds so much power. Sure, you could come up with many reasons to push back, and I welcome that dialogue. But I would invite you to tell me: relatively to whom or what?
A lot is being said about America's decline, and there is some substance to those claims. Nonetheless, I don't give it much of my time because I always end up asking: compared to what? I could go into market dynamics to show why I hold these thoughts, but that would be too much for this blog. Just to highlight: in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, US debt securities saw massive demand as even foreign investors sought safety in the USA. This event alone, though singular, demonstrated to the world who remains the "go-to" when the situation gets dire. When I spent a week pondering the inequality I see around the world, my only conclusion was a question: Relative to whom, Acha? At the end of the day, you have to pick the lesser of two evils. Maybe you have a better explanation; I am certainly willing to hear it.
I have experienced a significant amount of prejudice while wearing my "God Bless America" hat. At times, I have received anger; at others, compliments. Some have even associated my hat with President Trump. My love, however, is simply for the country and all that it stands for. A 250th anniversary is a long time for a country, a timespan filled with ups and downs worth acknowledging and building upon.
Prejudice is a vice in and of itself, and for some reason, many practice it, even subconsciously. My humble supplication is that before you criticize or critique, ask yourself: relatively to whom and what? In a world of so many differing opinions, some feel the need to have their own stand as absolute truths. The thought of a counter-opinion is daring, but we have the opportunity to harbor and voice such opinions.
That is what I celebrated today. Happy 4th of July.
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