It’s more than the unofficial start of summer. It’s a solemn reminder of the people who gave their lives in service to this country – and a call to reflect on the ideals they died defending.
That’s why we want to make sure you see this deeply moving op-ed by People For president Svante Myrick: “This Memorial Day, love America enough to fight for it.”
He opens with this reflection:
“Memorial Day is the first of the summer’s patriotic holidays. That makes it a good time to think about patriotism and what love of country requires of us today.
As we honor the people who have died while serving in the U.S. military, let’s also consider how we can honor the American promise for which they sacrificed.”
What follows is a moving tribute to two Americans who showed us what real patriotism looks like: Norman Lear and James Baldwin. Both believed deeply in this country and loved it enough to demand better from it.
The piece also pushes back hard on the toxic lie that anyone who criticizes Trump or the MAGA agenda somehow “hates America.” That kind of propaganda doesn’t just stoke division – it undermines the very ideals our democracy is built on.
“Resisting Trump’s efforts to act like a mad and unaccountable king is a profoundly patriotic act.”
It’s exactly the kind of message we need more of right now: honest, hopeful, and resolute.
Please take a few minutes to read this piece and if it moves you, share it. Post it. Email it. Start a conversation. Because loving this country means staying in the fight to make it better.
Thanks for being in this fight with us.
