Of all of the Fourth of July lure and memories, a television show’s finale still gets me choked up. Strange. Though I never lived through the 60s and 70s, living through the 80s and 90s watching a show about the 60s and 70s made me feel like I did.
And the Fourth of July episode ended the Wonder Years forever
The old ragged flag..
Finish the statement.
America the brave?
Free?
Doomed?
The idea of the United States is still miraculous. While the Founding Fathers were not pure in spirit or selfless at heart, their principles were strong enough to overcome sexism and racism to great extents. While wealthy white male landowners were privileged to vote initially, the living and breathing Constitution was written in such a sense that eventually everyone was included with the right to a free election .. And even more, for the mistakes the nation has made, it has also created an amazing place of beauty and people with profoundly good hearts..
But America the what?
When we declared independence from the ruling family of England in 1776, the world was in flames. It always was.
But America adopted a new route–one that said freedom itself was inherent in civilization and that it was a gift from a higher power, but from government. And even more startling, the American government–yet to fights its series of battles with Great Britain–said that the people rule over the rulers.
This fresh notion was amplified by COMMON SENSE. A manisfest destiny eventually led American patriots to the Westward expansion. And a trail of tears.. lots of tears, and lots of graves…
Yes, history is filled with wildly amazing stories but at the same time, controversial moments that make you question your patriotism.
But on the Fourth of July, at least in our current age, those frets over what the true history of the United States is takes a back seat. Instead, fireworks zoom into the air and explode with might.. those lights and bright flashes were seen before over the United States. During the American Revolution, the Civil War, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and 9/11.. We have seen aggression and brutality–and fought it. Often times we went to war unsure of victory (and sometimes unsure of why in the world we were even fighting) .. but we did it.
Yellow ribbons were tied to trees.
And the boys came home.. In body bags or airplane seats…
But America the what?
Where are we in 2014? Did the Founding Fathers even think their experiment could survive civil wars and world wars and racial division?
In 2014, America is seeing a great new division–one where the rich bite and the poor’s plight is loudly amplified .. Stocks are soaring. 17,000 strong for the DOW. But gas prices are higher than they have been in six years. The government is hiring.. And more than 200,000 jobs were added in June. But a record 92 million Americans + are either not working or not looking for work. Americas will gather for barbecues .. but with empty wallets. Food prices are at record highs. And this year, a hurricane is creating a whole new July 4th story for people along the East Coast, as Arthur moves his way without regard to holidays or celebrations..
So often, the United States is at the will of world events. Or natural events. Or ‘acts of God.’ The citizens of the nation have seen better, and worse, days. Often times, it’s all relative .. relative to our situation, our age, and our time.
When I was a child, things in fact did seem simpler. In a way, they always are simple in hindsight. Less technology, less stress, and less ‘things’ to distract us from ‘things’ that matter. But the good old days weren’t always good, and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems. Look hard, you’ll find a Billy Joel song the affirms that logic.
We are, in this nation on our national birth date, what we want to be.
America’s a dynamic and every changing nation.. immigration, both legal and illegal, has altered the course of some events and arguments.. gay marriage has uprooted traditional thoughts of what marriage should be.. and technology came armed with knowledge and endless supplies of facts (and opinions) forcing people drop from Churches like flies.
That is who we are..
I argue that the Founding Fathers, were they to come back in a dramatic non-zombie like reappearance, would be proud of what we became but also shameful of some of the more atrocious pockets of American society.. Gun rights are obvious, but some of the horrendous killings are unimaginable. But the Founding Fathers saw things, too–they often saw whole families die young, at the mercy of incurable diseases and scourges that we have long killed off with advancements and miracles medical developments..
Yes it’s relative..
Always.
But what is enduring is this: People still swell up with emotion when they see fireworks explode overhead. The pops and bangs that occur this entire Fourth of July weekend, from cities and neighborhoods across the nation, will live forever in the memories of children just growing up now.
When I was a child, I have fond but more fuzzy memories of catching fireflies in a field while fireworks exploded overhead.. this year, unless my son poops out and defies the plans to go to a late night fireworks show, he may have the same memory. Catching fireflies as they blink, underneath the smoky skies from fireworks on a hot summer night. And he one day will say his childhood was ‘simpler’ to .. even though my adulthood that coincides with his youth is anything but simple.
America the ……..
America the whatever you want to fill the blank in with. That’s your freedom, your right.. and your privilege.
Do we make some national mistakes? Oh yes.. does our government always represent the will of the people–no. Do our citizens always uphold the values of the nation? Not at all.. does our country always succeed. Nope.. not a chance. Are we perfect? No..
But that’s the point.
The fight is to constantly form the more perfect union.. It’s a work in progress, and a struggle. Sometimes a battle between wits and twits..
But ain’t that America..
This Fourth of July, define this nation. Define it well, though.. future generations will always look to the previous ones and judge accordingly. Make the future proud.
And make sure that the previous 238 years of the United States of America meant something…
As the bombs blast through the night.. the fireworks take flight.
Pride across the land.. from the cities to the burbs.. to the bars to the sand..
Drink your choice and raise a glass,
Toast the nation and have a blast.
National Prayer Service on September 14, 2001 from Washington National
Are we better than before..
Do we have more pride…more American zeal to do what is right… What does the Fourth of July this 2012 mean to you?
Happy 4th America
