May 2025 Unpatriotic By Andrea Martinez

Dear United States of America,

I'm furious. I have tried to accept your flaws and that I'm so lucky to be with you, but I am tired of you making my family and me feel small. It is not just us, but many other communities that are constantly on your bad side. What have we done to make you hate us so much? We are working hard to survive. We have crossed borders and rivers just for a better life with you. We work tirelessly to feed this country and our families, yet we still seem to be your enemy. 

We are hard workers. Always hustling, living paycheck to paycheck. We work jobs that people don't want to do, almost dying in the process. We fall off ladders and roofs, which we build for you, and inhale toxic chemicals to keep your houses clean. At first, it seems as if everything is okay. You dance at our parties, drink with us, and joke with us. You want to be invited to the carne asada and eat with us, but then you turn your back on us? We pay taxes and contribute billions to the economy, knowing that we receive no benefits, and yet you call us leeches. Growing up, we learned to pledge our allegiance to you and sing the songs that should unite us, but they seem meaningless now that we're grown. Is this really the United States that promised liberty and justice for all?

This whole letter sounds unpatriotic, but you must put yourself in my shoes. How do you celebrate a country that doesn't want you here?

I have grasped every opportunity that comes my way here with you because I know how much of a privilege it is to even get a chance, and one of those opportunities was being chosen to have a fellowship with Arte Americas. Everything was going great. I was getting hands-on experience and deepening my understanding of the diversity of careers in museums and cultural institutions. I was learning about curatorial practice, museum education, and expanding my knowledge of Latin arts and cultures. And then we got a letter.

It read, "Upon further review, IMLS has determined that your grant is unfortunately no longer consistent with the agency's priorities and no longer serves the interest of the United States and the IMLS Program. IMLS is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President's agenda. Independently and secondly, the President's March 14, 2025 executive order mandates that the IMLS eliminate all non-statutorily required activities and functions."

I was distraught. I felt so little and insignificant, as if my existence was just not enough for you. 

However, this won't stop me. Your hate for me and for my community, and every other community that you are mistreating, will not get rid of us. If anything, you are fueling a fire that will burn you. Don't get me wrong, we are forever grateful for the time we spent with you, but we are realizing that our relationship with you is toxic. You don't respect us, and you certainly don't love us. I'm tired of you, but I will always hold love for you. In another life, we could have worked out.

Sincerely yours,

Andrea Martinez