By Rose U., TIWP Student

From the moment Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein uncovered the truth about the Watergate scandal, Nixon’s career was over. He resigned in disgrace on August 9, 1974, becoming the first and only ever president to resign. From that point on, his reputation was forever tarnished.

Almost 50 years later, Donald J. Trump was found guilty on all 34 felonies of falsifying business records in the first degree. Yet, he still won the 2024 reelection later that year. Shame has been given a different definition in this country. Guilt and accountability have lost all meaning.

Growing up with patriotism for a country that no longer cares about you is the unfortunate reality for the majority of Americans, unless extremely privileged. Unfortunately, in that case, they’ve lost their patriotism. To want the best for the U.S. feels like continually going back to a toxic ex with the argument that you can “change them”. I’ve had to struggle with watching my nation give away my right to bodily autonomy and question if I can even marry who I want, yet I still celebrate the 4th of July with a dedicated pride that only a fool would have.

When I was 13, I went back to a toxic friendship, and haven’t left yet. I’ve expressed the same level of disrespect for myself by contemplating staying in the U.S.

When I’m in a relationship with someone who shows continuous disrespect for me, I struggle to leave. That’s the same problem I face with this country. I have the option to leave in a little over a year depending on my choice of college, and I still face an internal debate about if I really want to leave.

There’s a certain level of guilt that comes with always choosing what’s worst for you. Worse than giving up on yourself, it feels like disappointing your friends. However, that’s the very feeling I push down when I tell people that my top colleges are in the Pacific Northwest and the Upper East Coast. The precise feeling I get when I express my love for the Boston college culture or the connection I feel to the creativity that defines Portland, Oregon.

On the date of January 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade was decided, and the nation chose to push for women’s rights. They emphasized the 14th Amendment and individual liberty, arguing that a woman’s choice whether to end or continue a pregnancy depends on the woman, and not the government. The choice was monumental, and influential for second wave feminism that occurred at that time. The “ME” decade, aka the ‘70s, stressed social equality in general; disability activism, queer activism after stonewall, etc. Almost 50 years later, on June 22, 2022, the decision of Roe v. Wade was overturned. On that date, the country changed their minds regarding individual freedom.

Living in the U.S. in the 21st century has felt like a fever dream, and it feels like we’re only getting closer and closer to a possible World War 3. Yet I still get up and go to school, I still plan out what colleges in the U.S. look appealing, and I still consider myself an American. I fight for my own freedom because that’s what feels more patriotic than the American flag. Since the country’s beginning, people have fought for independence. I still fight for my own.