The Fourth of July feels very different to me today than it did growing up as a first generation Arab American in the Iraq war era.

In light of the holiday, I wanted to share a few thoughts on my identity and journey to "patriotism" during the Trump presidency. 1/

I never would have called myself a "patriot" until 2016. Like many young Arab Americans who grew up in the shadow of the Iraq war, I’ve been critical of US policy in MENA for my entire life. That criticism shaped my view of what it meant to be a rah-rah pro-American patriot. 2/

During election yrs, you’ll hear that immigrants are “just like other Americans.” If only it were so simple. It’s actually very difficult to define who you are - an American first or an Arab first? Do you have to choose?

I didn’t know my own answer to that for many years. 3/

Like many people from my background, I didn’t think you could be a patriot or support American policies or work for the US government without sacrificing your ideals and being a hypocrite. I’m often asked why I didn’t pursue public service sooner. This is why. 4/

Then Trump won, and my worldview was turned upside down.

In the days and weeks after the election, I realized I would do anything to advance American ideals & oppose those who seek to destroy them. I reassessed my priorities and reflected on how I could best do that. 5/

I realized that no matter how much typical US policymakers mess up, it all pales in comparison to the global consequences of allowing our country to fall apart under a leader like Trump. I realized I wanted to be part of the effort to hold the US together & make it better. 6/

It has been a hellish few years for all of us under Trump, but I needed this experience and clarity. I don’t think I would have been able to pursue my career or effectively work on US policy without it. 7/

My entire sense of identity, and consequently my approach to my work, has changed dramatically in the past few years. I no longer feel uncomfortable calling myself a patriot. I’m not self conscious or torn about promoting American ideals despite our problems at home. 8/

It took Trump being elected for me to digest this.

So this 4th of July weekend, I'll celebrate and reflect on our country, and prepare to keep fighting to take it back. My patriotism will allow nothing less.

End.