This July 4th will be the 246th time that we celebrate the founding of our great nation.
A celebration could not have come at a better time.
Amidst the joyful remembrance, we must appreciate the struggle of our forefathers and how America was conceived in liberty.
Through fraying social ties or a divisive political climate, let us never forget that America is dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Here are my four wishes for America this 4th of July.
Independent thinking
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are enshrined as inalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence.
We should always seek to question, learn and make sense of the world around us. For it is our pursuit of the truth that allows us to live and express our humanity.
The disinformation from our political cohorts and the mainstream media has done our great country no favors.
We face the same challenges as our founding fathers did when they united the Thirteen colonies. Can we turn heated debates into an exchange of ideas and perhaps if the future permits, enlightenment for us?
Whether we agree or disagree, I sincerely wish that more of us would exercise independent thinking.
In a culture where free-thinking is no longer the norm, let us cherish our freedoms this 4th.
Never be ashamed of our failures
Our American story is unique and complicated.
The suffragettes of the 19th and 20th century and the sacrifice of Martin Luther King Jr. are painful reminders of our past inequalities.
There are some who seek to reduce our country’s history into a paradigm of racism and slavery.
In the same breath, there are others who attempt to downplay the collective trauma of patriarchy and discrimination against the disenfranchised.
Regardless of how we feel about progress and the state of our country’s public affairs, the American story must be told in its full glory and gall.
The difficult history of race relations is one that our children and future generations must understand and reconcile.
Be it good or bad, teaching our kids the unvarnished truth will prepare them for when they must confront uncomfortable truths in the real world.
Labels Don’t Matter
Political discourse is polarizing our country.
Liberals or conservatives. Left or right. Binary or non-binary. The list goes on.
When we start to label ourselves, it slowly forces us to take sides.
Our personal narratives, background, and circumstances give our arguments nuance. A label ignores all the above and places us in a box – there is no other choice but to either be this or that.
Sometimes I may feel strongly about one thing and be totally non-committal on another issue. And that’s ok.
We shouldn’t be forced to adhere to dogmas from these giant collectives nor should we be swayed by the megaphones of large media monoliths.
Aren’t we constitutional people defined not by ethnicity or race but united by a set of shared principles?
Be free this fourth of July.
Reject the labels and embrace our past and present as equal Americans.
Shine our own light
There was a time when American exceptionalism was revered and celebrated.
However, the evolution of our values, attitudes, and faith, including America’s place in the world today has changed.
As we adapt to these new times, we must with pride, not arrogance, hold dear parts of what used to be our distinct American character.
In his 1862 message to congress, Abraham Lincoln famously said, “In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free – honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose the best hope of earth.”
Let’s rise to the challenge and exemplify what makes America the best hope of earth.
Individually, we each have the power to shine light and make a difference in the lives of others.
A major reason why I created my podcast is to inspire, inform, and ultimately encourage others to think deeply about things.
Wherever we came from or whoever we are, I only hope to remind everyone that we’re all together in this struggle called life. That is my commitment to the equality that is embodied in the Declaration of Independence.
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From Roe v. Wade to gun control legislation, there’s so much going on right now across the social and political spectrum.
On the other side of fear, I see much hope and promise now that I’m back stateside.
We have our vast landscapes and beautiful nature.
Our arts, music, and culture are thriving.
And we host some of the greatest sports and athletes on the planet.
Between the price of meat and hotdogs going skyward and the lack of pyrotechnicians for fireworks, it all makes for a strange national holiday.
Priorities, I know.
Have a happy fourth folks!