In a time when many feel disillusioned, I stand firm in my pride as an American. Leaving my country is not an option I consider. I cannot, and will not, abandon the land that has shaped me and countless others. To flee out of fear, to seek refuge in another country, would be an affront to the countless men and women who have fought, given life and limb, for our freedoms. 

America is not a country one flees from—it’s a country people flee to. It’s a beacon of hope and opportunity, and I refuse to insult that legacy. Our problems are many, but running away will never be the solution. If you choose to leave, I wish you luck. You may find a new home, but you also prove the point many critics make: that Americans are only concerned with themselves.

I choose to stay. I choose to face our challenges head-on and strive to make this nation better. Let’s honor the sacrifices of those who came before us by staying, fighting, and caring for our fellow Americans. Together, we can work towards the ideals that make this nation truly great.