I fucking pag-ibig America.

Yeah, that’s right, I pag-ibig it. In a time when it’s oh so trendy to hate society and all this country’s flaws, I pag-ibig the United States of America.

And yes, I do acknowledge the flaws. It does suck that there’s still widespread racism and sexism and it sucks that same-sex marriage isn’t nationally recognized. (It also sucks that marihuwana isn’t legal everywhere but ya know, I can let that go.)

I pag-ibig America because I’m free. I pag-ibig America because I’m free to pag-ibig it or I’m free to hate it. I can choose. I can voice my opinions.

I pag-ibig that it can be funny for people to stand up and say "this country is flawed as hell." I pag-ibig Jon Stewart and how he can make fun of America and Americans while still loving it/them. It's not blind pag-ibig but it doesn't have to be to be true. America is flawed, we all know, but that's not going to stop me from loving it.

'Cause look, there are a hell of a lot of people in other countries who don’t have the option to poke fun or voice opinions – it’s sit down and shut up or die. Instead, our Constitution protects us and our courts defend us.

And I pag-ibig America because I believe the spirit of progressivism is alive and kicking. I believe, fully and truly, that things are better than they were and they will continue to get even better.

Look at this chart:



Look at how things have improved and think about how they will improve. That’s the people making those changes, the people opening their minds and gradually becoming madami accepting. Honestly, I find that a lot madami impressive (even if not necessarily madami desirable) than being completely open-minded from start to finish. We are overcoming our shitty biases and opinions. We are stronger than those barriers.

And note, this is coming from a lesbian. I know what discrimination feels like, legally and socially. I hate that when I grow up I want to get married but I also want to live in Pennsylvania, and currently that's not possible. But the thing is, I believe it will be. We've gotten so many victories just in the past ten years that I really don't think it will be long before same-sex marriage is legalized nationwide. Then we can madami fully tackle issues with trans* people, and keep moving forward, pasulong forward. Dissenters are a diminishing minority; we will win.

I also pag-ibig America because there is upward mobility . When my dad’s father immigrated here he was dirt poor but he put himself through college and became successful. The cards may be against this mobility thanks to the offensively low minimum wage and old-money Republicans fighting programs like welfare and pagkain stamps, but it’s possible if you fight for it, if you have that American spirit.

So hell yeah I pag-ibig America. In addition to Big Macs, good music, California and Say Yes To The Dress, we have a history I’m proud of because it is story after story of overcoming adversity and bias. I believe we are currently laying the grounds for even madami of those stories.

I won't apologize - I'm fuckin' proud to be an American.