I grew up like many other citizens born in the United States, proudly saying The Pledge of Allegiance in school every morning. I am the granddaughter of two veterans - one a World War II POW and Purple Heart recipient - and I still tear up when I hear the song, Proud to be an American, played on the Fourth of July. I’ve always considered myself a proud American.
As US citizens, we generally believe that we hail from the greatest country on Earth. With life experience and exposure, my perspective has shifted though, and quite frankly, I’m sick of the naive notion that criticizing one’s own country is somehow unpatriotic. Critique is the cornerstone for growth and improvement.