“I accept this obligation freely, with no mental reservations or purpose of avoidance. So help me, God.”
Just a few days ago, I said these words in front of friends who accompanied me to take the Pledge of Allegiance to become an American citizen. I looked around the room and saw dozens of people from more than 20 countries and every continent except Antarctica.
Behind me was a woman from Jordan wearing a hijab who couldn't contain her excitement. To my left were black immigrants from Nigeria and Congo. Before me were white immigrants from France and immigrants from Canada. Although Latino immigrants were scattered throughout the crowd, I was the only Mexican sworn in there that day.
From this day on, we are no longer Australians, Bolivians, Indians, Filipinos, Venezuelans, Afghans or Mexicans. Rather, we were all proud Americans.
There is another little person who is more important than me, but he too will soon be an American. My wife is 34 weeks pregnant with her first son and will become a US citizen upon her birth.
The differences between natural-born Americans and naturalized Americans are significant. Native Americans never take the oath of allegiance.True, most Americans pledge allegiance to the flag in school; no binding force. Many people refuse to say that. Ironically, intentionally refusing to run for office is a right that America has granted to all people, not just its citizens.
This distinction highlights the American-born privilege that unfortunately causes many people to take their rights for granted. Worst of all, many young people will begin to hate America without any basis.
I can empathize with this anti-American hatred because I once shared the same sentiments. I often heard harmful voices telling me that America hated me because I was brown-skinned and an immigrant. There was an argument that this hatred of people like me was at the heart of Americanism. This led me to hate America and march with the Antifa and Occupy movements.
I still recognize that America is not perfect. For almost 250 years, it has been the scene of many fraudulent activities. However, as I progressed through my immigrant journey, I began to realize that America was not only flawed. America is committed to freedom and a more just society, where each day we inch closer to a “more perfect union.”
This promise is enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution, in which the Founders promised to fight for the blessings of justice and freedom for themselves and all future generations. It is no coincidence that the Pledge of Allegiance is not to the U.S. government, but to the U.S. Constitution.
Recognizing the promise of our country is a unique challenge for all Americans, both born and naturalized. We Americans need to teach our children the promise of justice and freedom for all.
As I raise my son in an increasingly toxic political environment, I have to face the fact that he may fall into this anti-American trap. But because of my determination to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the understanding I gained through my immigrant journey, I believe he will see beyond America's imperfections and promise justice and freedom for all. It forces me to make sure that things are accepted.
Being an American doesn't just mean the great freedoms enjoyed by all citizens (and most non-citizens, too). Being an American also means we have a responsibility to leave this country freer and more prosperous for the next generation.
This responsibility includes teaching our children the virtues of our country and its importance, not just its historical failings, and ensuring that they do not fall into the same traps that I did when I was young.
These are the lessons I want to teach my son. As a new American and a new father, one of the most important tasks in my life is to make this country freer, fairer, and more prosperous for him.
Gabriel Nadales is the National Director our america.
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