I've travelled a great deal this year, through South America, Mexico, the Western United States and Europe. I love to travel, love to meet people and to talk about the world that surrounds all of us. Usually, when I am asked where I am from, I say California. The questioner often responds with, "You mean the United States?" And I hesitantly reply, "No, California."
I tell people this simply because I, and like many others in my great state, oppose the undemocratic and neo-fascist policies of the last 6 years. It makes me sad to have to point out that I feel that only in California have we had a truly representative democracy, only in California have I felt free and able to express myself as all Americans should be able to.
I suppose I should let everyone know that I am writing this from Sweden, not the States. And as an American living in Sweden for the last month, it is sad to have missed all of the excitement back at home. But I am so thankful that I can finally lay claim to my heritiage, our Nation, and I can only do so thanks to the efforts of my fellow Americans! Hurray for Democracy, my friends, and I am glad that we all showed up to let them know how we feel, and that we are still a Democratic Republic. My thanks to everyone that has helped me keep faith -- and it feels fantastic to finally see that our small actions together can create a great action -- and overtake the power of corruption and money, whose smell I can even perceive from here.
Let's hold our new leadership accountable and ensure that we remain free, for that is our National purpose, and the beauty of our great country. I am again proud to be an American!