And yes, nor should we forget that the United States made a decisive contribution to liberating Europe from Nazism during the Second World War.
But an honest congratulation must also be able to bear the truth.
The United States was not built on empty land. The country was built on land that was already inhabited. Indigenous peoples, Native Americans and tribes that had lived there for generations were driven out, deceived, pressured, killed and robbed of their lands. Those who today call themselves the people of freedom built much of their freedom on others’ loss of freedom. That is a historical legacy that cannot be decorated away with flags, fireworks and fine speeches.
After the Second World War, the United States also gained a strong grip on Europe. What first came as help gradually developed into political and military dominance. Through NATO, bases, the arms industry, economic pressure and political influence, Washington has far too often decided whom Europe should fear, whom we should support and which wars we should be drawn into.
The United States speaks warmly of freedom. But for many countries, American freedom has come with bombs, sanctions, regime change and military interventions. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria remain harsh reminders of a great power that has often used the language of peace to wage war.
That is why we say: congratulations to the American people. But no congratulations to the war machine, the domination and the hegemony.
For the next 250 years, the United States should spend less time ruling the world and more time understanding it. Freedom cannot be built on stolen land, fear and obedience. It must be built on respect, peace and equality between peoples.
