Fighting Autocracy

Essays & Commentary

A vintage map of the United States lies on a rustic wooden table, softly lit by warm sunlight. A single red pushpin marks a small town, while nearby, a pair of round reading glasses and a folded letter evoke personal memory and reflection. The scene suggests the quiet intersection of national history and individual story.

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America is shaped as much by the stories we carry as by the history we record. Nostalgia can illuminate what we cherish, but it can also reveal what we’ve lost — the neighbors who vanished, the communities reshaped, the promises that no longer feel guaranteed. This hub explores how personal memory and national identity intertwine: the pride we feel, the doubts we wrestle with, and the everyday experiences that define who we are as a people. Through reflections on democracy, community, family, and the quiet dramas unfolding next door, these essays trace the emotional landscape of an America still struggling to understand itself.

Cornerstone Essays

Black-and-white photo of a multi-generational family seated around a dining table, heads bowed and hands clasped in prayer before a meal. The table is set with plates, glasses, candles, and bread, capturing a solemn moment of unity and religious observance.

What We’ve Lost and What We Must Not Surrender

Let’s focus on what truly matters—not by trying to turn back time, but by holding onto the best of who we were and who we are. We can build something better, rooted in decency and shared purpose, without letting anyone twist our memories into division. Our past should guide us, not be used against us.

A small suburban house at dusk with a soccer ball lying still on the grass in front.

The House Next Door — Part 1: When the Lights Go Out Next Door

When a family is taken in broad daylight, the shock doesn’t stay next door — it jolts an entire community awake, reminding us that silence is never an option.

A collage of iconic American symbols: the Statue of Liberty stands tall in front of a billowing U.S. flag, a bald eagle soars across the sky, and the Declaration of Independence anchors the scene with historic gravitas, embodying freedom, patriotism, and national identity.

I’m Proud to Be an American — But…

Ours is a legacy carved by bold decisions and bolder beliefs. Beliefs in freedom, equality and justice for all. And although we have shied away from admitting our faults, we came to terms with our demons and strove to be better. That’s what makes this country special: its refusal to settle.

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