Further thoughts on Independence Day

 

I dislike the modern, intellectually lazy practice of referring to Independence Day as “the fourth of July.”  I suspect it may have originated with people having trouble spelling the word “Independence.”  Whatever the root cause, it weakens the significance of the day and ignores the fact that our nation’s birthday was nearly July 2, not July 4, 1776.  This is precisely why John Adams, in a letter to his wife Abigail, stated:

“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

Years ago, I wrote a blog post about Independence Day.  It was confined to the history of the holiday and how, over the years, it had been militarized – when in fact our nation’s founders were not only trying to overthrow a brutal occupying military force, but that after they were victorious the founders were loath to even have a standing military (the reason for the groups like the Minutemen and our Constitution’s Second Amendment, which has been twisted by specious court rulings). 

Independence Day is therefore celebrated as the decision by a group of Caucasian males, many of whom owned other human beings, to break ties with the nation that ruled over them.  As imperfect as individual Founders were, let us celebrate our nation’s rejection of unhealthy encumbrances while also advocating for the independence of all human beings. 

Independence from what? 

From outmoded and oppressive cultural traditions like arranged marriages, honor killings, and the presumption that one’s children will grow up to be heterosexual. 

From the expectation that your child’s religious beliefs will be the same as yours. 

From endless cycles of generational wealth and generational poverty. 

From debt to higher educational institutions for obtaining something which is better seen as an investment in our nation as a whole – because an educated populace, able to compete for the best jobs, benefits us all. 

From having to make the agonizing choice between receiving necessary health care and putting food on the table.

From a sanitized version of our history that leaves us blameless for the mistakes of our predecessors, including the treatment of Native Americans, slavery and its aftermath, the internment of Japanese-Americans, and many other wrongs. 

From the mindless worship of historical figures who, though they should be remembered, should not be celebrated.

From the sins of our parents.  Just as our nation does not recognize inherited nobility, nor should children be held responsible for the personal or financial shortcomings of their parents.

These things signify true Independence.