I want to ask the students screaming โDeath to Americaโ, do you have any idea what happens when American values die?
Because I do.
My family fled Iran, a country where freedom died. You donโt know what you have until itโs gone.
You think America is oppressive because you have never experienced real oppression.
You think silence is violence because youโve never been silenced.
You think words are dangerous because you have never watched a government drag someone away for speaking them.
You think capitalism is evil because you have never stood in a bread line.
You think borders are immoral because you have never had to flee across one.
You think revolution is romantic because you have never had a revolution take everything from you.
I have.
And thatโs why I refuse to be quiet.
The discourse around Pulisic the last couple days has been ridiculous:
- Nations League winning goal vs MEX in 2021
- World Cup winning goal vs Iran to send us through
- Brace vs MEX in 2023 Nations League semis
- hat trick vs PAN in WCQ to clinch our spot in the World Cup
The American flag existed long before Donald Trump, and itโll still be here long after him.
If your patriotism rises and falls based on whoโs in the White House, maybe your allegiance is to politicsโnot the country.
The flag represents the nation and its people, not whichever administration happens to be in power.โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
God bless America. ๐บ๐ธ