America, we love you. But it’s hard.

It’s the week of the Fourth of July and the word patriotism is as divisive as the rest of American politics. Theodore Johnson, Karen Attiah and Jason Rezaian discuss the good and the bad about the United States, and how to reconcile its shortcomings while pushing for a better future. 

Read more from some of our columnists —

Ted Johnson: “American democracy is fine. It's the republic that's in trouble.”

“Buck up, America. Help is on the way.”

Karen Attiah: “How to reckon with the cult of the gun”