This 4th of July I’m going to stand up and celebrate what makes America great. This year – we need to celebrate, now more than now more than ever, for which it stands.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.“
No nation is perfect – but as Vince Lombardi once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”
It’s time to remember the ideals on which this great nation was founded and strive, every day to as we continue to live up to those standards.
This 4th of July I STAND for my country.
My grandparents came to this country and worked blue collar jobs and were not rich by any means – but managed to find happiness. Their experience doesn’t compare to the institution of slavery, but like most immigrants moving to white America they were not without prejudice. And that’s just it – America is growing and learning and changing – we may not have always lived up to the standard set forth boy our funding fathers, but we’ve come a long way since 1776.
Wherever there is ignorance, racism will exist – but the idea that America is systematically racist doesn’t hold up. It’s difficult to believe this when we elected a black president and first lady not once…BUT TWICE!
By the way – no other country in Europe or Canada has ever elected a black prime minister or president. Yet we’re painted as EVIL and RACIST.
We’ve come a long way since we abolished slavery in 1863, or gave women the right to vote in 1920, or repealing the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943, the Japanese Concentration Camps in 1945, or the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Disabilities Act of 1975 and we will continue to do so.
If one thing our history shows is that if something’s broke – we’ll fix it.
As long as we continue to strive to adhere to the standards of:
- Equality
- Freedom of Speech
- Freedom of Religion
- Pursuit of Happiness
We are a nation of multiple races, religions and cultures – and most times we find common ground to chase the dream. Do you realize how incredible this is based on the simple fact that wars have been waged for religion and race – yet we all are still together, making it work.
As an American of Italian decent, my close friends are Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Muslim, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Atheist, Conservative and yes…even Liberal (we don’t let him in the house though). The one thing that binds us together is this community, this country and respect for someone else’s opinion, religion and culture. That’s what America taught me – respect for other people’s core views.
I don’t know how tolerant I would be if I grew up knowing people of only one race and one religion. Fortunately, I didn’t have to – thank you America.
Happy Birthday America – you’re great and getting better with age.
Damian Ross
The Self Defense Company
God Bless The USA! God Bless America! These Two Songs Are On Point!
The 4th of July was normally spent in a celebration with my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. We would have the best times of our lives. As I got on my own and later got married we would take our sons to go watch the fireworks where ever we got stationed. This is a great Country and we All should be proud of it.
I stand for my country, but differently than you. I believe in the 4 founding principles that you listed.
I believe that America is always a work in progress. But I am also convinced that there is a deep systemic racism in our country. Just because we have friends of different races, faiths, and traditions and have elected a black President twice doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Our country was founded by individuals who took the land from indigenous people. We then built the country on the backs of a group of people we enslaved. These injustices were enshrined in our laws, history, and statues. They are so subtle that we often don’t realize them. They’re systemic.
In the past 200 plus years, did we get better? Sure. Did we backslide? Yes. It’s an ongoing struggle.
We need to do better. We have to do better.
Patriots don’t wave flags, grill hot dogs, and shoot fireworks. Patriots do the hard work. They listen to others. They recognize the prejudices they hold and work hard to change them. And they reach out to help lift up others.
Today, should be about recommitting ourselves to that important work.
We have to do better.
Thanks for posting Simon.
Can you point to a specific policy or law that is discriminatory and racist?
And can you show some evidence (other than anecdotal) of how we “slid back”?
I look forward to your response.
I stand for this country and I am thankful that I live in a country where if I have grievances with this country that I am free to take to the streets and peacefully protest. And, if I so choose, that I may I kneel during the national anthem in order to express my grievance to the world. In many countries, I would be locked up and spend many years locked up. We, who are citizens of this country, enjoy the freedom of choice and I take that to mean just what it says.” FREEDOM OF CHOICE.” PERIOD!
I have traveled a bit (Hong Kong, Beijing, South Korea, Japan) as an exchange student, and having seen some other parts of the world I am grateful and feel blessed to live in the USA. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but the USA. God bless America!
Hey Henry, great to hear from you!
Most people don’t understand your perspective. Even considering how America has had a rough history with it’s treatment of Asian-Americans (The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the internment of Japanese Americans during WW2 to name a couple). We still seek to correct it and move forward.
Thanks for posting.
I appreciate your thoughts, Damian. I share your perspective on this great country of ours. Great words from a great football coach!