There’s a lot of worry in our world currently. A lot of fear. Russia increasing its vicious attacks on Ukraine. The whole middle east situation (Israel, Gaza, Iran) – Cease fire? No cease fire? Yemen. Syria. Nigeria. Sudan. Mayanmar. China threatening Taiwan. North Korea intimidating South Korea. Poland, Lithuania and other eastern European countries living in fear that if Ukraine falls, they will be next. Plus the alarming house of cards stateside.
This week I said rather casually to a man I know and deeply respect, “I hope you’ll have a happy 4th of July!” I honestly expected a reply like, “You, too!” Instead, he became serious, bordering on somber. “A happy 4th?,” he began. “Are you kidding?” Then he articulated his personal point of view about things ranging from what he perceives as a current social civil war in our country to his fears that the first amendment and the justice system are being weakened to incidents where it appears the military has been deputized against our own citizens to shocking photos of “Alligator Alcatraz.” He paused, looked me in the eye and concluded: “I’m a card-carrying patriot, but – a happy 4th? Seriously? Tell me what exactly I can be happy about?”
I heard him. Millions share his perspective. Millions of others do not. Political scientists refer to it as “the deep divide.” I feel certain my response to his lament was woefully inadequate. But having had time to reflect on our conversation, I would perhaps have a better response now. Independence Day, I think, is not primarily about a particular moment in time (whether, like him, you are frightened or, like others, you are celebrating). Independence Day is about the long history of a nation crafting its soul. Along route, it was sometimes guilty of unthinkable corporate sins (slavery being at the top of the list). But at other times, it made lasting and noble contributions to the well-being of humankind (science and medical research – public education – freedom to chart the course of your own life, to work where you will, to worship as you will, to marry who you will – a Constitution which insures the liberties of all people). Independence Day is a time to remember why we became a free nation to begin with … and the wise and brave people who labored and sacrificed to make it more than just words … and the countless ones who paid the ultimate price in defense of that freedom. It is also a time to celebrate the ongoing spirit of the majority of our citizens. In spite of the current dangerous partisan ethos of anger that some fuel and foster, the truth is that there remains an undeniable decency in most people when you get to know them.
The overwhelming majority of Americans are still genuinely good folks. That may not show up frequently on the news or in social media, but it is true. Most Americans believe in justice. They believe in equality. They believe in helping their neighbors without asking where those neighbors are from or how they vote. They believe in children and puppies, in volunteering at shelters for folks who are homeless or abused, in going to church or synagogue, in little league games and ballet recitals, in writing notes of sympathy or sending emails of encouragement, in paying respects to mourning families at funeral home visitations, and in baking casseroles for neighbors just home from the hospital. They believe in humor and hugs and hope. They still get tearful at the sight of summer fireworks or winter snows. They say sweet things like, “Call me if you need something,” or “I’ll be praying for you,” and we sense they are sincere. Are there problems and reasons for concern? Of course there are. And it is sometimes easy to become discouraged or cynical. But, our country is more than and better than its elected officials in either party. This country is its people – the garden variety kind and decent people who smile and wave and love and keep on helping us put one foot in front of the other. And that’s why, no matter what may have anyone worried in any given moment in time, there is still ample reason to have a Happy 4th of July. I hope that is exactly what you will experience.