I grew up, like many Americans, talking to flags and basking in just how great America is. Independence day, fireworks, hot meat sandwiches served on plastic plates. Songs have been written and sung in many voices about my home country. Much of what has made America a proud nation rests on the men and women that put their country first and personal safety second. Democracy, for most, is a defining piece of the American experience.

On April 5th, 2014, the people of Afghanistan took an important step in rebuilding a country torn for years by war and poverty. The Afghan people held a democratic election, voting for representatives much in the same way that Americans do. Watershed moment did not take place without opposition.

The Taliban issued several threats before and during the election, but the people of Afghanistan stood firm in resounding fashion, with around 58 percent of registered voters showing up to the polls to cast their votes. Women voters were also out in large numbers, sending a clear message that the people of Afghanistan are more than willing to take a stance for a better, safer Afghanistan. Despite the large voter turnout and reports of a peaceful election day, Taliban forces made good on their threats, with several in rural Afghanistan being injured and even killed by Taliban attacks. While the elections were more violent than the typical day in Afghanistan, this still serves as a reminder for many Afghans that the task of rebuilding will not be without sacrifices.

Much like the Afghan people, the founding fathers of America faced great opposition from the onset. Bold men and women, willing to stand and die for a better way of life, built this country. Sadly, that spirit has gone dormant. America is a nation that now prides itself on past accomplishments. The internal combustion engine, baseball, democracy—these are all good things. The byproduct of progress, pride, came shortly before our current free-fall.

The America I studied as a child is nowhere to be seen in my adulthood. A nation that once lifted up the weak, rewarded hard work and selflessly flung itself in the face of tyranny has found a comfortable spot under a tree with a bottle of bourbon and a weathered scrapbook. I’m sure that the scrapbook contains articles and pictures of crushed Nazis, sprawling tobacco fields, huge machines and lunar vacations. While resting on the shoulders of dead giants, however, a different book was thrown to the wind, a book filled with other sketches from America’s past.

The hostile displacement of America’s native peoples, the vulgar reality of slavery all considered, it should be noted that in regard to human equality, this country isn’t even close to breaking even. Not that any amount of good work could offset the harm done in America’s past, but there is a custom-tailored version of the past that pops up every July. Above all of these images of a progressive and compassionate nation, some necks still bear footprints. Patriotism and nationalism, the democratic system—in small doses these all may have positive impacts. But this country is now one of excess, and Americans are content to roll around in our past victories and call it good.

I feel no guilt in being born and raised American. I just cannot feel pride given the current state of our nation. Perhaps what we as Americans should do at this particular moment in history is put down the scrapbook and take a look at the struggle in Afghanistan, because the struggle of the Afghan people is no different than the struggle our forefathers met and overcame.

mmacdona@mavs.coloradomesa.edu