I had a big learning recently.
Might seem like a pretty obvious thing for me, but I really didn’t understand how it was shaping my thought process. Politically, right now in our country, we’re a mess.
You can actually love America and being an American, and you’re not a racist.
I wasn’t sure that was possible, but as we (Kris Dunn, Jessica Lee and I) were taping episodes of our podcast, This is HR, I was taken aback at how much Jessica Lee, my Millennial, female, Korean-American, liberal, podcast partner loved America. She is pro-America. She also, like many of us, very against some political forces in our country right now.
[buzzsprout episode=’1315402′ player=’true’]
I think it’s a great reminder as we set out to celebrate our great country over this 4th of July holiday. We love our country which is why we are fighting so hard to make this country something everyone can look at and appreciate our place in the world.
Too often, currently, I think we are associating “pro-America” with “pro-right” or conservative. This isn’t the case. Pro-America is why so many people are trying to get into this country, because of the opportunity that is here, even with all of the flaws we struggle with and will continue to struggle with.
While we might not agree with those in charge, this great country of ours allows us to vote. Allows us to fund those we do align with. Allows us to protest and march and campaign. Our melting pot is far from perfect. Inclusion causes friction. Different ideas cause friction. Our country was founded on this friction.
I’m more scared of living in a society with no friction. Where we all believe exactly the same thing or we least believe we need to believe the same thing or there will be consequences.
I have friends and family on every side of the political spectrum. They are good people on all sides. There are bad people on all sides. This is America and I love it.
Great points and observations.
You know what/who can solve this? Employment Branding gurus.
As you point out, people associate and think very different things about areas of the US and the gov’t and political issues going on. Imagine a team of nothing but the best employment brand experts getting together to start campaigns to help everyone understand some of this stuff.
Yes! You can love your country but still want it to be better.
It’s an interesting point. I think it comes down to the difference between patriotism and nationalism. One is love of country, the other is more fear of “the other.” The two are intertwined very often, hence the over-simplification of association with pro-right. We can’t pretend patriotism isn’t weaponized into nationalism, though. On the other hand, a healthy kind of love is good for everyone.