By BoJenn
The unrest sweeping across the United States today is both troubling and eerily familiar. It brings me back to my teenage years, when I would watch the evening news and see images of young men—barely older than I was—losing their lives in the Vietnam War. The sorrow I felt then mirrors what I feel now: a deep, aching concern for a country caught in the grip of conflict, confusion, and loss.
Back in those days, the rhetoric of politicians often rang hollow. No speech or slogan could match the weight of what those young soldiers endured. They bore the burden of duty, fear, and sacrifice in ways that words could never fully capture.
Women served, too, though their roles were largely confined to the medical field. Stationed near the front lines, they provided care under unimaginable pressure. To my knowledge, women were not allowed in direct combat roles at that time, though their contributions were no less vital. If I’m mistaken on this point, I welcome correction—history, after all, deserves accuracy and honor.
As we witness the divisions and tensions rising once more on American soil, I can’t help but feel we’re watching a different kind of war—one that tests not only our policies but the very fabric of our national character.
I truly can’t wrap my head around how anyone—especially people in my own family—can support this man. It makes me feel physically sick. It’s not just political disagreement anymore; it feels personal. It feels like betrayal. How do you reconcile love for someone who stands behind everything you believe is tearing this country apart?
My heart hurts for this nation. I feel torn up inside, like I’m watching something I love get destroyed in slow motion. If I were in the military right now, I don’t think I could follow a man like this. His behavior, his choices—they’re reckless, cruel, and completely baffling. These are shameful times we’re living in. I’m angry, I’m sad, and honestly—I’m stunned. Completely blown away by how far we’ve fallen.
I am a person who resides in Texas, but have a California heart.
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