America is not just a country, it is an idea. And that idea belongs to everybody who wishes to serve it. ~Bono

This post was written by my sister, Stacey Lazos.

My husband had his oath ceremony last week. It was the culmination of 8 years of moving toward the idea of America and on my end at least, there were A LOT of tears. The ceremony itself was frustrating for sure (communicating with USCIS is like the most infuriating relationship you’ve ever been in but can’t leave) and beautiful (400 people and their families, all with a story worth telling, showing up to pledge an oath to an idea…cue the music swell). Some of the tears were for our personal story and the relief felt that the journey had come to an end. But most of the tears came from a different place, one that took into consideration the state of the world today, especially this idea in which we live. 

When my husband arrived in America, I lived in Florida. Go ahead and make your jokes, but the beach is beautiful and I was able to both check out and be a productive adult, all at the same time. It wasn’t Eden, but it did serve its purpose and for that I’m grateful. My husband was not as charmed by its offerings and we made the decision to move and get a fresh start for both of us. We picked a town in Tennessee and although I had been living in Florida, it did not prepare me for the undertones of the south.

Every place you live has a feel, a vibe, a story. And of course, there is always a dark and light component. There is a lot of beauty here and many wonderful people and happenings all around. And there is also the history and undercurrent of racism and the patriarchy that can loom so large you wonder if you didn’t step through a portal to the 1800’s. Most days I don’t feel this, but on the day of the ceremony, sitting in the auditorium with 400 families from 88 different countries and representatives from our government who have been so vile about our immigration system, my emotions were upended. Mostly I just felt sad that we, as those in service to the idea, had so incredibly lost the plot.

Growing up, I’m sure I did not understand America as an idea. I, like most people I knew (and most I know today) was incredibly entitled in my thinking about the world. I grew up in a small bubble, mostly white, and although I expanded my circle as a young adult and considered myself somewhat worldly in my 20s, I would have to say my lens was still pretty myopic. 

But these last few decades have put the world on display. The connectivity we all share is undeniable. The fact that our earth is getting hotter and our weather is getting more drastic shines a spotlight on our responsibility to our planet and each other. And yet the political climate in this idea of America is farcical, absurd and disturbing. Grown men and women shouting lies at the top of their lungs in an effort to keep what they think they have and trying to make sure someone else doesn’t get it. All the lies are coming to the surface and some days it feels like walking through a swamp to get to your morning coffee.

This writing is not about racism, the patriarchy, our broken immigration system or any of the thousands of other things I felt that day. It really is just to shine a spotlight on the stories of those 400 people and their power of belief in wanting to serve an idea much bigger than themselves. I think, in this moment in history, we can all use that reminder.

Stacey Lazos 7.7.24

Originally Published on https://greenlifebluewater.earth/feed/

Pam Lazos

Pam Lazos is an environmental lawyer and the author of the enviro thriller, "Oil and Water," about oil spills and green technology; of a collection of novellas, "Six Sisters," about family, dysfunction, and the ties that bind us; creator of the literary and eco blog www.greenlifebluewater.earth; a blogger for the Global Water Alliance (GWA) in Philadelphia; on the Editorial Board for the wH2O Journal, recently rebranded as the International Journal of Water Equity and Justice (University of Pennsylvania); an editor and ghostwriter for the newly published book, "Finally Home" by Deacon Mike Oles; author of a children's book, "Into the Land of the Loud"; and former Senior Assistant Regional Counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she protected water and wetlands for over 33 years. Pam continues this work through her writing. She practices laughter daily.