Land of the Free

America:  Land of the Free

by Joyceann Wycoff

"From our every day experiences, our history, we weave a story of meaning.
That story is our personal or our collective myth."
-- Dennis Slattery, Professor, Pacifica Graduate Institute

We came in ships, fleeing from poverty, hunger and oppression.
We came in droves, lured by possibility, freedom and land.
We came with pockets empty but hearts full of hope.
We came without roadmaps or jobs, ready to build our future.
Except, of course, some came as slaves with no hope or choice.

America:  Land of the Free and the Brave

We moved west, plowing the fields and planting apples.
We built houses and churches and towns and cities.
We crossed the prairies and found streams of gold.
We took charge of our future, declared ourselves free.
Except, of course, some were already here and had to go.

America:  Land of the Free and the Brave and the Strong

We needed the land from sea to shining sea.
We bought from France the vast heartland prairies.
We fought with Mexico for the golden southwest,
Drew a new line in the sand and declared it America.
Except, of course, millions of Mexicans just called it "home."

America:  Land of the Free and the Brave and the Strong and the White

They came on foot, fleeing from poverty, hunger and oppression.
They came in droves, lured by possibility, freedom and land.
They came with pockets empty but hearts full of hope.
They came without roadmaps or jobs, ready to build their future.
Just like us they came.
Except, of course, they were brown ... not like us at all.

"When myth loses its elasticity, it becomes brittle and leads to
an ideology that no longer holds the magic and power to
unite and inspire."  
   -- Dennis Slattery, Professor, Pacifica Graduate Institute