I cherish my country and feel fortunate to have been born in the United States. The privileges that accompany American citizenship and the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution are things I deeply appreciate. However, I don’t consider my birthplace to make me inherently special. I do not believe that America deserves more safety, security, or prosperity than any other nation. Furthermore, I am convinced that withdrawing from the global community will not enhance our safety or greatness.
When we utter the phrase “America first,” I question what positive values we are instilling in our children. A common counterargument is, “Don’t you always prioritize your family?” While this sounds reasonable, it overlooks two important distinctions. First, putting family first is a biological instinct, not a nationalistic loyalty. Second, I would argue that in times of crisis, when my family is in a better position than others, I might choose to help those in greater need first.
Consider the March sisters in Little Women, who chose to share their meager Christmas feast with a less fortunate family. They exemplified the selflessness I wish to cultivate in my children—encouraging them to be altruistic and to assist those in need, regardless of nationality.
If we equate “America first” with “my family first,” it’s a slippery slope to “me first.” And “me first” is not a mindset I want my children to adopt. This mentality fosters an “us vs. them” division based on arbitrary loyalties. The notion that those born within certain borders matter more than those born beyond them is fundamentally flawed.
I was raised to view myself as a global citizen and to see humanity as one family. Healthy patriotism is commendable, but extreme nationalism can be detrimental. That is the perspective I wish to pass on to my children.
If our nation were facing dire hardship, my view on “America first” might be different. In a survival situation, you must prioritize your immediate family. However, the reality is that the United States is the ninth wealthiest country globally, with a robust military and declining crime rates compared to past decades. Yes, we have issues like national debt, but we are not impoverished. We possess the resources to thrive collectively, yet we often lack the will to tackle our challenges effectively.
I often hear concerns about veterans experiencing homelessness, and while that remains an issue, significant progress has been made. For instance, veteran homelessness dropped by 67.4% between 2009 and 2014, and New Orleans became the first major city to declare an end to veteran homelessness in 2015. This indicates that while there are problems, they are not insurmountable.
Imagining our nation as a home, we might have a few leaks and broken windows, but are we really going to turn away a family seeking shelter from a storm because we need to fix our own roof first? Are we going to refuse to share our resources with a stranger in need because it’s not our direct problem?
In our interconnected world, no nation can thrive in isolation, including America. An insular approach not only alienates allies but also inhibits economic growth and creates conflict.
Most importantly, the phrase “America first” sends a troubling message to our children—that our strength as a diverse and welcoming nation is a liability. It implies that lives have different values based on geography, teaching them that their accidental birthplace grants them greater rights to security and opportunity than those born elsewhere.
That’s a lesson I refuse to impart to my children. I aim to raise them as global citizens, prioritizing humanity over nationality and inspiring them to use their identity and privilege as Americans to contribute positively to the world.
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In summary, we must reconsider the implications of promoting “America first” to our children. Striving to raise them as compassionate global citizens is essential to fostering a more inclusive and empathetic future.