As part of a collaboration between The Fulcrum's NextGen initiative and Made By Us, The Fulcrum is publishing Letters to America, a series created through the Youth250 project that invites Gen Z to reflect on the nation’s past, present, and future as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.
Your generation is so angry all the time.
As an immigrant from a communist country, the caution and concern my grandpa voiced were understandable. During his time in his home country, there was no passionate push for social justice or a fervent challenge to the status quo. The social media advocacy movements and school walkout protests of my peers today were unfathomable to him. Loyalty to his country meant putting his head down and pledging unwavering allegiance to the country as it stood.
But how could I explain to him that when I looked at the flag, I didn’t feel anger? Yes, there was frustration for things in my country I wanted to be different. But not anger towards America herself, this vast, beautiful land of diverse, hard-working people whose greatest triumph has always been their freedom. For America, I have only ever had hope– hope for how my predecessors have fought before me, for how my generation relentlessly pushes for change, for how future generations will continue to improve our ever-changing nation.
I am a patriot not for my unwavering support of America’s actions, but rather my relentless devotion to making this country better. My right hand on my chest while reciting the national anthem is not a sign of unconditional approval, but rather hope and optimism for what can still be changed. The love I have for my country is ardent, but not blind.
Young people aren’t unpatriotic or resentful. We simply view America as a work in progress, rather than a stationary masterpiece. Our patriotism shines when we are involved deeply and given avenues to make change. We don’t just want to be regarded as the future of the country, but to be acknowledged as part of it in the present.
I clasped my grandpa’s hands in mine and told him this.
My patriotism is not angry. It is vibrant, audacious, and hopeful. It is equal parts pride in what has come before me and a relentless pursuit of what can still be built.
Annalise Huang, 16, Danville, CA
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