2015 Update: Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for more evidence that indeed “the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice” as we await the Supreme Court’s decision on furthering equality in the USA.

Summer 2013 Blog

I used to teach political science.  It was very challenging during the 9-11 era.  Crises bring out the best in some and the worst in others.

I navigated through student reactions that ranged from “we brought this upon ourselves” on one side of the spectrum, to “nuke the whole Middle-East” on the other.

It was a challenge for this professor who values political moderation.

And although we blundered through the post 9-11 era, I have always felt I would rather have American blunders than some of the grave mistakes of other powers of historical periods gone by.

No doubt I was born with an American flag wrapped around my heart.  I grew up in an immigrant family who adored FDR, church, and parades.

My father even used to make me stand up when the Star Spangled Banner was performed during sporting events and I loved it.

And although I have always had a higher estimation of politics and politicians than most people, after coming out of the closet my orientation made it difficult for me to feel American even though my passport reads that I am.

And I think I was teaching it as a way not to engage with it.  My academic distance helped me to cope.

But I felt left out, less equal.

And it felt ironic that I was very forgiving of my country in some respects but not in others, especially when those others hit so close to home.  Why could “they” not have the political will to fight for change.

But really, why was I not fighting for change?

I even spent several years off and on living outside of my country, choosing to escape and reflect.  But instead of it making me feel less American, nothing made me feel more so.  I could have lived 50 years in England and never felt English, or 50 years in any of the other European countries I lived in . . . yet, nope, still American.

One of my favorite singers wrote, “You can travel 10,000 miles and still stay where you are.”

Fast forward to last week.  I was chatting with Anna.  She works for my sister’s family, born and raised in the Cape Verde Islands.

When I saw her she proclaimed, “Scott, I am an American now!  I passed the citizenship test.”  Take a test and poof, you’re American.

WOW!

I was moved by her enthusiasm, her immigrant pride, and her love of opportunity.

Keep in mind this conversation happened on the heels of the Supreme Court deciding to continue down the path of equality by striking down DOMA.  Very emotional for all LGBT people whether they admit it or not.

So a day later I went to my first Fourth of July parade since coming out of the closet 15 years ago.  It was incredibly moving.  Now of course it was cheesy too, but I love the cheese – that is part of the American experience.

It was great to feel included again.

Over the past 15 years I have been angry with myself for my civil inaction in the face of inequality, and with my country for its penchant for incremental change.

In the end our country does not always get it right all the time, and usually doesn’t change right away, but neither do you nor I.

But I forgive me, and I forgive America.

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