Today is the 4th of July. Beyond its annual appearance on the Gregorian calendar it has always been a day of special significance for Americans. Indeed, the reason behind the celebration has been until recently an inspiration for the world. But that has changed. Sadly, I’m one who believes forever. At least the forever that is the remainder of my life.
What’s intriguing is how we’ve all managed to mangle up the significance of the 4th of July and Independence Day. At its essence the day celebrates the 56 men who put their name on a declaration declaring independence from the King of Britain. No small undertaking, they were willing to hang for their beliefs by putting their names on that document. A far different display of courage than what we see from any of our political leaders these days, especially those who are content to bow to another king wannabe in Donald Trump.
Keep in mind, that a large portion of the population of America at the time had no interest in independence from the crown. That division of opinion has always been a part of the character of the country and always will be. Call it self-evident.
It’s brought us through tumult and brought us into conflict. Yet we’ve always had enduring principles alongside some morally wrong views, later enshrined in the Constitution, to keep us on course for change. Frederick Douglass’s 1852 speech, What To A Slave is the Fourth of July? spoke elegantly to the challenges then and sadly still with us.
I certainly don’t need to recount any of the madness that is happening around and to us, as it is tough to keep up with most of it. Our backwards trajectory at the moment almost defies reason. So, instead of celebrating the 4th, I’ll be mourning.
I’m also going to link to an excellent piece from Jack Hopkins called The 4th of July: What We Were Meant to Celebrate— and How We’re Failing It. One of the many points Hopkins points to is that the Founders weren’t just rebels, they were thinkers. As a country, we seem to have lost our capability and desire for that kind of thought and philosophical approach to governing ourselves.
Here’s hoping you enjoy your time this weekend with family and friends. If you’re happy with the way things are going, good for you, but also damn you to hell. If you’re not, mourn or celebrate as you will. Mark what was a courageous beginning in a time that seems to be marking the cowardly beginning of an end to what it started.
As Hopkins says, “the 4th of July isn’t just a birthday. It’s a challenge.”
You can find more of my writings on a variety of topics on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome. I can also be found on social media under my name as above.
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