Despite faults, citizenship is an honor

Dear Students,

I understand from my good friend Andy Lippman in South Pasadena, California, that you are studying to become U.S. citizens.

I can’t imagine a more worthy goal, and I can’t imagine a better teacher.

But I suspect that you may have wondered over the past several weeks what you have gotten yourself into.

This nation of immigrants seems to have — temporarily at least — lost its way.

It would be perfectly understandable if you had doubts about embracing this country, since it suddenly seems to have doubts about embracing others.

And if I could erase all those doubts, I would do so in an instant. But I can’t.

For those of us born here, it’s all too simple.

It’s as if we have “Made in U.S.A.” stamped on our bottoms as babies at the hospital. And too many of us never give it another thought.

You, on the other hand, have been thinking about it for weeks and months. You’ve had history lessons. You have discussed the Constitution. And as a result you know more about this country and its traditions and its values than many, many people who were born here.

So you know by now that being an American is kind of a complicated thing. At least it’s complicated if you give it more than a moment’s thought.

It is, for example, possible to be proud of one’s country and simultaneously to be ashamed of it. It’s possible to love America and be disappointed in its failure to live up to its promise, all at the same time.

Anyone who says otherwise needs to go back and study this country’s history.

A genocidal march against Native Americans from one side of the continent to the other and compromises on slavery in the Constitution that nearly tore the country apart in the Civil War are nothing to be proud of.

But I’d argue that there is an arc in this country’s history, and as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, the arc bends toward justice.

America stumbles now and then. America screws up on occasion. But, over the long haul, it continues to move in the right direction.

I believe that.

And I hold on to that belief at a time when I see America stumbling, becoming fearful, resurrecting all those old bad habits of our history.

So, as you go through this process of becoming U.S. citizens, don’t kid yourself that America is perfect.

And don’t fall into the trap of labeling it simply good or bad. It is both, just as all of us are when we take a long, long look in the mirror.

As one of those who never had to give a moment’s thought to becoming an American, I am humbled and honored to have you join us. 

We need you to make us stronger, and we need you to keep us grounded.

Being an American is complicated, but in the end it’s something you’ll treasure.