“Life isn’t always fair.” At least that’s what Momma always said.

But isn’t life supposed to be fair? We do live in America, the greatest nation in the world, after all. Imagine:

You are an American, living in the Land of Equality.

You want to marry the love of your life, but because his skin isn’t the same color as yours, you can’t get married. People say it’s against their religion. And in a theocracy like America, one person’s religion naturally should be forced upon all people, even when they are simply entering a legal union of marriage. So you hope and pray that laws will change.

You are an American; therefore, you fight for your kids to have the rights you didn’t.

Your granddaughter wants to marry the love of her life, but because that person doesn’t have a penis, she is forbidden to legally marry her partner like everyone else. People say that if they let her marry her partner, then people will eventually marry cows or babies, or four men and a duck.

You are an American, in the Land of Opportunity.

After years of hard work, you apply to a prestigious university. You check the mailbox daily. One morning the rejection letter comes. You had a 3.9 GPA and a 1560 on your SAT. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough. A white student with a 3.5 GPA and 1230 on the SAT, who was also less involved and qualified than you, got your spot, solely because you are black.

You are an American, part of a nation of progress.

After years of hard work, you apply to a prestigious university. You check the mailbox daily. One morning the rejection letter comes. You had a 3.9 GPA and a 1560 on your SAT. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough. A black student with a 3.5 GPA and 1230 on the SAT, who was also less involved and qualified than you, got your spot, solely because you missed out on extra points because you are white. This time, discrimination is legal.

You are an American, so you can do anything you dream.

Upon earning a doctorate, after years of experience, double-majoring and working to death, you attempt to enter the political arena, so you can work your way to be the first woman president. It’s not long before you realize because you don’t have a few billion-dollar companies, a circle of crooked politicians and a penis, the glass ceiling is already crashing down on you.

You are an American, in the home of the brave.

Years after a daddy’s boy from Texas is arrested for a DUI and possibly again for cocaine, he finishes fratting and tells you to go to war. You want to honor your country, so bravely you go. Every Sunday you write letters home. Boy, does Momma miss you. Your girlfriend cries herself to sleep some nights, but you still have hope. The Army tells you you’ll be home in March. You watch your best friend die in June. That Christmas, your mother receives a phone call from the Army, telling her that her only son is dead.

Momma should have known better.

She was the one who taught you life isn’t fair.

Allison Pritchard is a junior electronic media production major and a columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].