Just a few days ago America turned 249. Patrick and I spent the day at Knott’s Berry Farm, as is our tradition, before heading home. Ever since a nearby palm tree caught fire a few years back, we stay home in the evening. Plus we get to enjoy Disneyland’s display from our front yard.

Let’s be honest, being an American right now is tough. We are facing down turning into 1930s Germany by those who claim to be the most patriotic. Ones who claim they love this country and follow its current “leader” blindly without much reflection or respect for the basis America was founded on.

If we take extremely problematic issues out of the founding of America, and look at the simple ideas it was based on, it is that of democracy. “Taxation without representation” is what was cried by those at the Boston Tea Party. They were upset about their leader not listening to the majority of the population. This transformed into a desire to break free from England, with it’s tyrannical king, and form a country that listened to its citizens.

It is disingenuous to “celebrate” the Fourth of July and support a wanna-be king, when that blatantly goes against democracy, the thing that truly makes America. For the last few years I have learned to take a different approach to the Fourth of July. Here is the simple take, American colonists were unhappy, they looked at what they didn’t like, what they thought was unfair, and chose to create a better country for themselves. So at it’s base, I view of the Fourth of July as a time to look around at what is happening in America and look at what we can do today to make it better. America is always changing, and for the most part it is always for more inclusion. From the Emancipation Proclamation, to women winning the right to vote, to the Civil Rights Act, to the legalization of gay marriage. We are working toward making a more welcoming home for every citizen. To be patriotic is not to blindly love the country, but to aid in its betterment. If a friend is being self destructive, you don’t let them do harmful things because you love them, you try to help them because you love them. I don’t celebrate what America is, I celebrate what America can be. To long time readers, a lot of this will be a rehash, to new readers, welcome to this tradition!

Today America is hurting. With ICE raids, lack of due process, anti-trans bills, a push for religion in schools, book bans, blatant racism, and more. So let’s reflect and see what actions we can take.

While America is founded on ideals, one must also acknowledge it was stolen from the Indigenous population that was made up of many different nations. It is important to try and repair and do right by these original nations. Hundreds of years later, Native people are still facing racism, the latest of which comes from Ann Coulter who said “We didn’t kill enough Indians.” If that isn’t an effort to insight violence, then I don’t know what is. While lawmakers may be far behind in aiding Native people, you can support them and work toward making a change. The Native American Rights Fund is a place to gain a better understanding of the issues facing the communities, as well as a great place to donate.

Racism towards the Latinx community is on the rise due to the increase in ICE raids. Often ICE agents are refusing to show identification and as result real criminals are dressing up as ICE agents and harming people. Furthermore those close to the administration have publicly declared a desire for the entire Latinx population to be eaten by alligators at the newly created “Alligator Alcatraz,” which has already flooded and reported to have inhumane conditions. The vast majority of undocumented people in the US are doing jobs that many white citizens do not want to do. As a result of ICE raids, food has been left to rot, causing price increases at the store. The Immigrant Defense Project is a resource to learn your rights and how to help those in need. And before you go all, “But the illegals don’t pay taxes!” they do actually.

Despite strides made in decades past, today the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically the trans community, face increased bills that are harmful. According to Trans Legislation Tracker, last year there were 701 anti-trans bills introduced, 51 passed. So far this year (and we are only halfway through) 947 anti-trans bills have been introduced, with 118 passing. So, what can you do to help? First, vote. Plain and simple. For those with means, you can donate to trans funds, including the International Trans Fund, or check out the ones listed by Trans Justice Funds Project. And if comfortable, find local protests and pride events to attend. Other LGBTQIA+ groups that Patrick and I have donated to include the Trevor Project, LGBTQ Freedom Fund, and Human Rights Campaign.

Abortion bans have been on the rise since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and even when lawmakers are impacted, they still blame the left. Abortion bans, which love to claim they are “saving lives” end up killing more people. Pregnancy can be very dangerous, and abortions can be life saving procedures. Supporting groups like Planned Parenthood and National Network of Abortion Funds, through donating and/or volunteering is vital to keeping birth control and abortion safe. The Women’s March is an event that happens across the country, and one we have attended before. Protesting showcases demands and numbers, so if you have the ability to get out and protest, please do! All three groups mentioned above we regularly donate to. I also adore the brand Love, Al which offers goods sharing pro-choice messages, and they donate ten percent of profits to various groups in need. Remember, banning abortion doesn’t end abortion. Things that reduce abortion are comprehensive sex education, free and easy access to a range of birth control options, and universal healthcare.

Speaking of saving lives, often those who claim to be “pro-life” and seek to ban abortion, often do little to keep children alive once they are born. Gun related deaths for children continue to rise in the United States, and while the right to keep and bear arms is in the Constitution, it’s important to remember that was written at a time when you could only fire one shot before having to reload. Today we have high capacity magazines that go far beyond the need to “protect one’s property” or for hunting. Gun reform would reduce mass shootings, in fact if you look at the stats from when assault style rifles were reintroduced to the public there was an immediate uptick in gun related violence and deaths.

Other things that keep children alive…vaccines, healthcare, education, free school meals, after school programs, just to name a few. If you don’t want to provide children with healthcare, food, and shelter, you are not pro-life. After school programs typically decrease crime in areas, and therefore can be life saving. Whether you’re a parent or not, the amount of funding your local schools have directly impacts your neighborhood. Speaking of education, book bans are never a good look. Pen America put together a short, but great list of how you can fight book bans.

Part of what makes America so wonderful is the natural beauty found in its National Parks, and today the administration has sought to dismantle the National Parks System, causing chaos amid mass layoffs. Visiting a National Park can be an act of resistance, and if you do visit, please be respectful both to nature and the staff.

It can be incredibly intimidating to experience bigotry both directly and towards someone else. If you want to help deescalate a situation, I recommend Right to Be (formerly Hollaback!) which offers multiple free programs what to do, and can be done at home. I did one a few years back, and it was very insightful.

When I’m feeling defeated, a project I often turn to is Postcards to Voters. The program results in increased voter turn out. It’s super easy, and can be done on your own, while watching TV, or grab your friends and make a fun night of it.

But you know what the most important thing you can do is? Vote. Recent elections have been won and lost by small margins. Every vote counts. Even if you aren’t hot to trot on any candidate, look at what they support, does the majority align with what you want to see happen? Then go with them. No candidate is perfect, but one is certainly going to win. Due to increased voter purging, it’s vital to make sure you are registered to vote. You can check your status via Rock the Vote. Have you moved recently? You will need to update your voter registration before the next election. Under 18, but will be 18 by the time of the next election? You can still register to vote so you’ll be all set come Election Day! And please remember to vote in each and every election!

This is of course a non-exhaustive list, but more of a highlight reel of what I would like to see change in our country. I hope this post inspires you to look around and see what you can do to make a change in our country. And if you don’t live in the United States, and you’ve made it this far, thank you, and I hope you’ve found something here useful!