If you’ve made it to this article, it’s likely we already have something in common. I am grateful for this country, the men and women who’ve made it great, and the future that good people are trying to preserve. We all may have different ideas of how to go about preserving its greatness (and what that greatness is) but that’s what’s so great about it. In this country, as much as you may have heard it already, it’s worth truly understanding that we have unique freedoms in America.
People come here, far and wide, for a better life. People still see it as the land of opportunity, the place you have a chance to succeed, the custodian of foreign affairs in good times, for better or for worse - the referee in bad times.
In recent years, it is no surprise that in the media, in the common culture, in the purposeful wave of intentional degrading of American culture, it has become optically less cool to love this country. I don’t think that most people agree with that statement in its meaning, but I think that some people might equate it with social culture and see that this pushed narrative is a reality for a lot of people.
For the people who fear for losing their jobs if they align with a certain school of thought, the college students who are often made to feel as if they don’t feign agreement they’ll never graduate, for the people who feel as though if they speak up, they might lose friends (but somehow not the other way around) and they think they need to keep quiet about even their most neutral patriotism.
I am a country music songwriter and singer, political commentator, news show host and writer. I have been so lucky to find a community of people who have flooded my corner of the world with encouragement and inspiration to run towards the things that I believe.
The change and difference it has made has only shown me that true influence is at the good intentioned intersection of politics and culture. It has quelled any notion that this climate tries to sell you: that you can’t be patriotic and political, you’ll lose opportunities, you’ll get cancelled, you can’t do both – my experience has been quite the opposite actually.
I’m here to tell you that on the other side of censorship and societal pressure is being gratefully American. Where you will find that most people just want to go to work, raise their kids, love their country, and love their neighbor. They want to feel like they can practice their faith, have their vote matter, and fly their flag high whether they are disappointed in their government or proud of it.
This country isn’t its government anyway. We have been provided the great fortune of being born here or of properly coming here to live here - that’s something to celebrate.
I’ve partnered with Riser United because from day one, the mission was to inspire people to be gratefully American. Blissfully patriotic. Enthusiastically unifying. Confidently bold and unapologetic. Yes, they make apparel and other products both made in the USA and intentionally and thoughtfully made in US-ally countries – but they also make display the lifestyle in the way that you and me live, proudly.
They celebrate history in a reverent yet wearable and casual way. They’re everything they seem like they are - there are people who get into the lane just to be on the highway, and then there are the people who will blaze the path even if no one else is on it. Riser is the latter.
As we move forward, I will be sharing bits and pieces here both of my outside articles and exclusive Riser- only content (so make you you’re on the mailing list!) and helping spread this message patriotically and proudly, so I just wanted to introduce myself.
I can’t wait for you to see what we have in store.
For God and Country,
Alexis
