Make America Great Again was never meant to be a controversial statement. The truth is that America is the greatest country in the world. If it were not, our border would not be under invasion. Like all countries, America has made its mistakes, but it has worked to correct them almost to a fault.

When Donald Trump used the slogan or its acronym “MAGA” on the campaign trail, the mainstream media made it a controversial statement due to its fear of his presidency. The mainstream media made many believe that MAGA was a term that embodied racism and white supremacy despite Trump seeing increases in the black and Hispanic voting base. Why did so many identify with MAGA?

MAGA is not about racism or white supremacy. It is far from that. MAGA is about paying homage to our Founding Fathers. Public school history has taught us that our fight for independence was mostly waged by white English Christian men. True history teaches us that the fight for independence was quite diverse. Encampments of Patriots were composed of French, Spanish, English, Native Americans, Dutch, Prussians, Austrians, Scottish, and other ethnicities. In the fight for independence were also Protestants, Catholics, and Jews. Today, MAGA is also composed of all ethnicities and walks of life with the same vision of America that our Founding Fathers once had.

Today, social media will have us believe that MAGA belongs to a certain group and that the movement belongs to one man. That is also far from true. Although many are grateful for the awakening that former President Trump led, MAGA does not belong to him.

MAGA belongs to the Americans who believe in the American Dream. MAGA belongs to the Americans who are tired of sending their sons and daughters to fight endless, pointless wars. MAGA belongs to the Americans who believe in hard work and merit. MAGA belongs to the families who believe in patriotism and civic duty. MAGA belongs to Americans who believe in honest, fair elections. MAGA belongs to the Americans who believe our republic is in rough shape, but we will not give up until it is restored.

There is no doubt that those working to destroy our republic will fight hard to do so. The hope is that after the events of 2020, many can identify the propaganda and no longer believe it. We are at a similar point in our country that our Founding Fathers were once in. We either bravely face the enemy or our country as we know it will cease to exist.

If there are still some that foam at the mouth when someone says “MAGA” or “America First,” there is nothing wrong with reevaluating your life and moving to a country that best suits your values and mental health.

As presidential election campaigns begin to ramp up, take note: Who embodies the vision of our Founding Fathers, and who does not? Who puts America first, and who does not? Who believes in MAGA, and who does not?