It’s almost laughable—if it weren’t tragic—to hear the words “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” in today’s America.
This country, America, once seen as an epicenter of opportunity and freedom, now resembles an oligarchy, where wealth and power are concentrated in the hands of the few, while the rest of us are left fighting for scraps of liberty.
And yet, there are still those who dare to say, “If you don’t like it, leave.”
To them, let’s pause for a reality check. Think about this: your grandparents, perhaps your parents or even great-grandparents, left their homelands for the same reasons people are now criticizing this country.
They fled oppression, injustice, and systems of control—things the United States is now perpetuating. The only difference is that many of you got comfortable here and made it nearly impossible for others to enjoy the same freedoms your families once sought. So please, miss us with that hypocritical rhetoric.
How “free” is this land, really?
Walk down certain streets in the South, and you’ll find reminders of strange fruit (lynching). The United States has tried to paint over this horrifying chapter of its history, but the legacy of racial terror remains.
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, stands as a stark reminder of over 4,400 African American lives taken by lynching between 1877 and 1950. It’s a past we must confront, yet it is still reflected in modern-day systemic racism and police brutality. (smithsonianmag.com)
Reproductive Rights: Women in America are still fighting for the fundamental right to control their own bodies.
Abortion bans and restrictive laws in many states strip women of autonomy, while countries like Canada and Denmark protect reproductive rights as part of their healthcare systems. Here in America, however, healthcare is treated as a privilege rather than a right, putting profits over people.
Healthcare: Speaking of healthcare, the United States remains the only developed nation without universal coverage. Meanwhile, countries like Norway, Canada, and Sweden ensure that life-saving treatments are available to everyone, not just those who can afford them.
How can America claim to be a global leader when its citizens have to ration insulin or choose between paying for medicine and paying rent?
Education: The same goes for education. Germany, Finland, and many other nations offer free or affordable college education. In the U.S., students graduate with crushing debt that takes decades to repay, all because we treat education as a business rather than an investment in our future.
What kind of “freedom” is this when the next generation is shackled before they even begin their adult lives?
Public Transportation and Basic Services: In places like Denmark and the Netherlands, free or heavily subsidized public transportation ensures mobility for all citizens. Compare this to the U.S., where even public buses are often prohibitively expensive, further entrenching inequality.
Racial Injustice: The fight for equality is far from over. It wasn’t long ago that we needed the CROWN Act to protect Black individuals from discrimination based on natural hairstyles—hair that grows naturally out of their scalps.
Think about how absurd that is: legislation to protect people from being penalized for simply existing as they are. And while other countries also grapple with racism, nations like New Zealand and Norway have made strides in fostering equity and inclusion, far surpassing America’s progress.
LGBTQ+ Rights: America’s treatment of the LGBTQ+ community also leaves much to be desired.
While countries like the Netherlands and Canada have long embraced equal rights and anti-discrimination protections, the U.S. continues to wage battles over basic freedoms, like access to healthcare for transgender individuals or protections against workplace discrimination.
Gun Violence: Safety is another measure of freedom, and the U.S. is failing miserably. We lead the developed world in mass shootings, yet meaningful gun control remains a political non-starter. Compare this to Japan or New Zealand, where strict gun laws coexist with safe, vibrant societies.
Is it truly freedom when Americans live in constant fear of the next mass shooting?
Censorship and Control: Even freedom of expression is under attack. The government’s decision to ban TikTok is a glaring example of how quickly access to information can be stripped away.
Ostensibly about national security, the move seems more about profit and control. Americans scrambling for VPNs and alternative platforms are a stark reminder of how limited our freedoms truly are. If this is what freedom looks like, it’s no wonder many are looking elsewhere.
Other Nations Offer More Freedom: Countries like Denmark, Norway, Canada, and New Zealand show us what true freedom can look like. These nations prioritize universal healthcare, affordable education, and robust social policies, all while maintaining lower levels of violence and systemic discrimination.
They’ve created environments where citizens can thrive, not just survive.
What Can Be Done? For those of us staying to fight for change, here are some steps:
- Stay Informed: Knowledge is power. Educate yourself about your rights and the policies affecting them.
- Get Involved: Support grassroots organizations pushing for equity and justice.
- Vote: Elect leaders who prioritize the people over corporate interests.
- Build Community: Strength in numbers is crucial for resisting oppressive systems.
And to anyone still tempted to say, “If you don’t like it, leave,” remember this: unless you’re Indigenous, your family came here seeking refuge, freedom, and opportunity.
Those same freedoms are now under threat, not just for minorities but for everyone. The only way forward is to face these challenges together and demand a nation that lives up to its promise—for all of us.
So no, this is not the “Land of the Free” as it claims to be. But it could be—if we’re brave enough to make it so.
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