Across the United States – and even abroad – people have gathered for what are being called “No Kings” rallies. Locally, many have asked a fair question: What’s the big deal? We haven’t had a king since 1783.
I understand the confusion. From the outside, these demonstrations can be easy to dismiss or mischaracterize. Some see them as extreme or even anti-American. But from where I stand – and from what I’ve seen in Okmulgee – that perception misses the point.
These gatherings are not about hating America. They are about loving it enough to hold it accountable.
Protests are often reduced to crowd size, signs, or speculation about who is “really behind them.” That misses what matters most: why people show up. Here at home, those attending are veterans, retirees, small business owners, clergy and working families. They are not outsiders. They are our neighbors.
And they are asking a simple question: Is America living up to its own ideals?
We are living in a time when division is encouraged – when we are told to distrust or even hate those who think differently. I would urge the opposite. Spend time with people who don’t share your views. Listen. Community is not built through agreement; it is built through understanding.
As James Baldwin wrote, love requires effort, empathy and a willingness to see beyond the surface. That kind of love – real love of neighbor and country demands more than comfort. It demands participation.
That is what these rallies represent.
They are not declarations that America is broken beyond repair. They are a refusal to let it fall short of its promise. They are people choosing, consciously, to stand up and say: we can do better.
For some, protest feels unpatriotic. But look closer. You may see American flags held by those who have served this country, worked their entire lives and still believe in its potential. That’s not rejection. That’s commitment.
And yes, people have concerns. Promises made have not always been promises kept. Questions remain – about transparency, about economic pressures on working families and about the direction of our nation at home and abroad. In a democracy, asking those questions is not disloyal. It is essential.
Especially in places like Okmulgee and other deeply conservative communities, speaking up can feel risky. But silence has never been the foundation of a strong democracy.
At its core, the message of “No Kings” is simple: no one is above the law. Not leaders. Not the wealthy. Not anyone.
That idea is not radical. It is American.
If we truly love this country, then we must be willing to show up for it – not just in agreement, but in accountability. That means checking on our neighbors, listening across differences and refusing to leave the direction of our nation unquestioned.
Because in the end, loving America isn’t about blind loyalty.
It’s about making sure we never stop striving to be the country we claim to be.
— Submitted Op-Ed
