It’s striking how often the loudest voices live at the extremes: “If you don’t like it, leave,” on one end, and “I’m fleeing a coming holocaust,” on the other.
I’ve always appreciated James Baldwin’s reflection on America: “I love America more than any other country in the world, and exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”
Somewhere along the way, both extremes seem to forget two truths that can coexist: that the freedom to criticize one’s country is a profound privilege, and that caring enough to stay, engage, and serve is a responsibility that comes with it.
It’s striking how often the loudest voices live at the extremes: “If you don’t like it, leave,” on one end, and “I’m fleeing a coming holocaust,” on the other.
I’ve always appreciated James Baldwin’s reflection on America: “I love America more than any other country in the world, and exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”
Somewhere along the way, both extremes seem to forget two truths that can coexist: that the freedom to criticize one’s country is a profound privilege, and that caring enough to stay, engage, and serve is a responsibility that comes with it.
Well said!