My First Election, in a Deeply Flawed America – The Atlantic
In 1996, my parents left their friends and family in China for the United States. To them and many immigrants of their generation, the idea that America mei guo (Žý), or beautiful country, in Chinese would transform their life for the better was as obvious as vegetables being good for their health.
This year, on July 22, I fulfilled one of their goals when I became an American citizen. Instead of feeling excited, though, I am deeply conflicted about this supposed accomplishment. The country has descended into moral and governmental decay. The president mocks sense and science while more than 220,000 people have died from COVID-19, and the whole world looks at America in pity. Asians like me fear attacks on the street, as the president continues to scapegoat China for the U.S. s failed response to the coronavirus. Friends are planning to leave the country, and journalists are writing doomsday articles about the end of democracy here.
The American dream has shaped the trajectories of millions of families like mine, people who left authoritarianism and dictatorships for the U.S., attracted to its promises of freedom, equality, and justice. But the pandemic has exposed deep flaws in this idea. The U.S. is not exceptional. In fact, the country s arrogance allowed COVID-19 to spin out of control. As a new citizen, I must let go of my family s notion of the American dream and form a new, realistic relationship with my adopted country.
I bet it still beats China though. Lots of kids from HK seem to think so.