Yes, from my perspective, America was never great. Maybe it was economically or socially prosperous for people like you, but it was never great for people like me.

When you use the slogan “Make America Great Again” or MAGA, trying to claim the patriotic mantle, it silences the continual struggle of living in the United States as a person without security, safety, and equal rights. For me, this means living in America as an openly gay man.

We can go back and forth on economic statistics all day. However, those statistics truly do not matter to a certain degree. To the core, this is a moral conversation that I hope you are ready to have.

Let me take you on an extremely abridged journey through moments in America that were not, in fact, very great.

The year is 1961. The Freedom Riders, a group of courageous Black Americans fighting segregated bussing terminals through nonviolent protests, had a bomb thrown aboard their bus. Everyone escaped before the explosion, but when they go off the bus, the riders were beaten to a pulp by a mob of white people. Segregation was not outlawed until The Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Freedom Rider bus in flames

In 1965, only a year after passing the Civil Rights Act, 600 peaceful protesters were met with teargas and beatings from police officers while marching against the killing of civil rights activist, Jimmie Lee. The day became known as Bloody Sunday. You can see 25 other pictures from the day here.

Bloody Sunday. 1965. Buzzfeed News

Fast-forwarding to 1971, which was the year the Supreme Court–for the first time in American history–declared women as “persons.” Over the next few years, women won significant court battles, chiefly led by Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Ranging from freedom from unfair educational and hiring practices to ending pregnancy discrimination.

5 years later, the HIV/AIDs crisis emerged and was met with a despicable response from Ronald Reagan’s administration. They laughed at the disease as a “gay plague” responding slow and late while tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ American’s died. In 1984, with current estimates of almost 4500 deaths and 300,000 exposures, the Reagan administration continued to laugh. His press secretary saying, “I haven’t heard [Reagan] express concern.”

The government only really started paying attention when Ryan White–a 13-year-old hemophiliac acquired HIV through a transfusion–began visibly fighting HIV/AIDs discrimination. The country could not handle a queer person leading that public fight. It was not until 1990 that the government passed a bill in recognition of Ryan White to provide the largest federal funding for HIV/AIDS.

Skipping over a few decades of continued systemic discrimination against minorities in America, we arrive at a more contemporary 2015, when same-sex marriage became the law of the land by a Supreme Court ruling (Obergefell vs Hodges). A measly 5 years ago, I was not able to envision myself having the opportunity to marry someone I love.

I could have highlighted hundreds of moments of violence, hatred, or government discrimination against all kinds of Americans. But there is not enough time in the day. These are just a few historical events over the past decades that embody significant events in the fight for justice and equality.

Put simply, 60 years ago segregation was legal. Discrimination was legal (and in many cases, still is). If you were a vocal black or queer activist, chances are you would get beaten or face a near-death experience from a mob of bigots. The government turned a blind eye while countless Americans died of AIDs. I would not be allowed to marry the future love of my life. Women could be fired for being pregnant or simply just existing as a woman. In fact, more than half of LGBTQ+ people live in a state where they can still be terminated for their sexuality or gender identity.

When you say “make America great again,” these are the events and moments in history that people like me are reminded of. Embedded in the fabric of that slogan is disrespect for civil rights and liberty, the erasure of minorities, and the lack of compassion for those who are different.

In my view, America was never great. That’s why we must continually fight to move America forward. In my view, fighting to create a more perfect and just union is the definition of patriotism.

Maybe you never realized the weight MAGA carries for people like me. I implore you to look at history and to discover who America was or was not great for. I ask you to push back against the use of this slogan. Instead, push for the economic justice for all Americans.

This is not a fight over economic statistics. It is a genuine plea for respect and compassion. No matter the context, MAGA will always be a way to erase my historical identity, ignore struggle, and denigrate the freedom fighters who paved the way forward to a world that allows me to openly declare my opinions online without fear of violent repercussions.