ثنا ابراهیمی | Sana Ebrahimi
This is me, nearly seven years ago, stepping into the United States to begin my journey as a graduate student. I left behind everything and everyone for a dream I wasn’t even sure existed. Since then, I’ve experienced freedoms and opportunities I could only imagine back home. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t afraid to speak my mind online, because here, no one would arrest me for it. I could wear what I wanted, without fear of punishment. I was treated with dignity and earned professional opportunities based on my work, not my gender or background. If I ever felt unsafe, I could trust that the police would protect me, not ignore me or blame me. I even had the right to file a FOIA request and question the police about an incident, something unimaginable in Iran. That moment was what first made my account go viral: People were shocked when the truth came to light and even more shocked that someone like me had the right to uncover it. I could speak on national TV, share my political beliefs, and know that my voice mattered. That was the first time I truly understood what it means to live in the “land of the free.” What many young Americans may not realize is just how precious these rights are. They’ve inherited freedoms others around the world are still fighting for. Yes, achieving success in America takes hard work, but it’s possible. That alone sets it apart from so much of the world. Despite its flaws, America remains the greatest country in the world. And even though I’m not a citizen, I celebrate this country, and all it offers, not just to its people, but to the world. Happy Fourth of July. I’m grateful to those who gave their lives to build and protect this nation. #4thofJuly
