Being an American

I am going to take a step away from my normal Substack content focused on women’s rights, leadership and economic power because our way of life has changed significantly over the past 11 months and it effects us all. Clearly I am not the first or only voice talking about this but maybe, just maybe one of us will start to gain momentum and help to move the population to a place of inclusion and support for one another rather than hate and anger.

Being an American used to mean something.

It meant living with freedoms—freedom to practice the religion of your choice, freedom to speak your mind even when your opinion did not align with those in power. It meant access to public education, from primary school through postgraduate study, with degrees that were recognized, accredited, and respected.

Being an American was once a source of pride. The country stood for integrity. It stood for democracy. Americans were respected globally for showing up—delivering humanitarian aid to people suffering from war, famine, natural disasters, economic hardship, and disease outbreaks.

That version of America ended on January 20, 2025.

This is not a political statement as much as it is an expression of dismay, grief, and mourning. Mourning what it means to be part of a population that enthusiastically welcomed the erosion of freedoms, respect, and integrity—values this country once claimed as foundational.

Today, America is increasingly defined by bigotry, racism, corruption, misogyny, selfishness, and cruelty.

In less than a year, we have seen masked police and military deployed in U.S. cities. We have watched our leaders make deals and accept gifts from autocratic regimes in the Middle East. We have amplified Russian talking points against a nation they invaded. We have deported non-white people to foreign prisons, fully aware of the violence and torture they are likely to face.

The list goes on and it is exhausting.

I am deeply saddened by how the idea of American “exceptionalism” has been hollowed out. I am frustrated by the silence of so many leaders and the complacency of such a large portion of the population.

What will it take?

Because it is painfully clear we have not yet reached the threshold of cruelty, hypocrisy, and moral failure that too many Americans are willing to tolerate.

What haunts me most is this:

How can decent people—people I love, people in my own family, turn their backs again and again in the face of lie after lie?

If this unsettles you, don’t look away. Pay attention. Speak up. Ask harder questions. Refuse to normalize cruelty simply because it has become familiar. Being an American—being a decent human, has never been a passive act. It requires courage, accountability, and the willingness to stand for one another, even when it is uncomfortable.

This is the moment to decide what we are willing to tolerate—and what we are not. Silence is a choice. Indifference is a choice. So is action. I refuse to accept this as normal, and I will continue to speak, organize, and invest in a future rooted in justice and humanity. I hope you will too.