The claim that “No one is illegal on stolen land” is a narrative that has gained traction among various activist circles, but this idea is built on a fundamentally flawed premise. America, the land of liberty, is not “stolen,” as many of its critics suggest. It is a land of opportunity and sacrifice, founded upon the principles of freedom, hard work, and individual rights. As someone with a deeply rooted Iranian-American heritage, whose lineage stretches from the Safavid Dynasty and Cilician Crusader ancestry, I find this narrative not only incorrect but offensive to the history and identity of the United States and its people.
In my personal journey, I have come to understand the value of being connected to one's heritage, which is why it is significant that my own DNA tests revealed Native American ancestry. This discovery connects me to the very soil and people that this narrative seeks to dismiss. However, as a proud member of the Christian Conservative LDS faith, a Freemason, and someone who has held leadership positions within Muslim and secular communities, I reject the radical ideology that tries to undermine the history of America and its WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) culture and foundation.
The myth of “stolen land” ignores the complexities of American history. While it is true that the indigenous peoples of this continent suffered immense hardship and displacement due to European colonization, this does not mean that the land is now inherently “stolen.” The United States has undergone centuries of progress, reconciliation, and integration of its diverse peoples into a national identity. The notion of land being "stolen" undermines the hard work and sacrifice that countless immigrants—myself included—have put into making this country great. The United States is a country built on laws, not on the illegitimacy of its existence.
Furthermore, I reject the romanticization of the idea that America is somehow fundamentally flawed because of its past. Such narratives conveniently ignore the contributions of generations of people—immigrants, native-born citizens, and even those whose ancestors were brought to this land against their will, like African Americans—who have fought to make America the beacon of freedom and democracy it is today. The belief that America is a “stolen” land discredits the sacrifices of those who worked tirelessly to build, defend, and improve this country. It would be remiss to suggest that the country is not ours to embrace, build upon, and improve simply because of its complicated past.
The ideology of “No one is illegal on stolen land” also fails to recognize the unique role of the United States in defending the rights of all people. The Constitution of the United States is a living document, one that has continuously expanded its scope to guarantee rights to more individuals, regardless of race, religion, or background. This expansion of rights has not been perfect, but it represents an unrelenting pursuit of justice, something that is often overlooked by those who insist on perpetuating the false narrative of “stolen land.”
As a former socialist and former member of organizations like CAIR-Columbus, I have seen firsthand the divisive power of ideologies that seek to tear down the foundational values of this nation. The narrative of stolen land is just another example of how radical movements are attempting to sow discord and undermine the very principles that have allowed for the growth and prosperity of this country. It is through embracing these foundational values, not by rejecting them, that we ensure the preservation of liberty and the continuance of the American dream for all.
America is not perfect, but it is not stolen. It is the land of the free, the home of the brave, and the promise of a better life for those who come here with the hope of a future better than the one they left behind. It is a nation built by people of all backgrounds, including Native Americans, African Americans, immigrants, and the WASP culture that gave rise to the Constitution. It is a country of growth and healing, not one of permanent victimhood and division.
It is time to reject the narrative of “stolen land” and to embrace the reality that America is a land of opportunity for all, a land that is far from “stolen,” but rather built on the foundations of freedom, law, and a shared history of progress. Let us not allow radical ideologies to define us, but instead, let us remember that this land is ours to build, defend, and improve for future generations.
Citations:
- "The Constitution of the United States." National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
- "Native American Heritage: A Complex History." National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/native-americans
- "The American Revolution and the Birth of the United States." Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/revolution/
- "The Impact of Immigration on the United States." Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/immigration/
- "A Brief History of the United States." History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/us-history/history-of-the-united-states
No comments:
Post a Comment