Listened to the NPR reading of the declaration today. The last time?? 🥲 But growing up around Boston must have been a fantastic experience. I used to go there for work, and took the "Freedom Walk" (?) once, walking to places I'd only read about from my home in Idaho, 3000 miles away. It was a stirring experience. Later, in 2000, I got to hear Arthur Fiedler conduct the Pops at the esplanade, and then watch the US Constitution sailing out in full rigging, with fireboats spraying colored fountains at her. I love Boston.
That sounds like an incredible memory, Arthur Fiedler and the Constitution in full rigging? That’s Fourth of July level 10! And yes, growing up near Boston was pretty special. You don’t realize how rare it is to have that kind of history right in your backyard until you leave it. The Freedom Trail still gives me goosebumps, those old brick paths have seen some things. Glad you got to experience it. And hey, here’s hoping it wasn’t the last NPR reading!
Cyrus, I’m not sure by the time I finish this soliloquy I’ll post it or cancel it, because I anticipate difficulty expressing my patriotism on this day of celebration. For the record, I’m a white, heterosexual male, and contemplate that position of “safety” and inclusion often. Yet, the abject failure of our country’s effort to implement the ideals expressed in the Declaration render my nationalism surfeited. I labor to infer the relevance of those historical events in today’s culture. White supremacy renders these noble expressions moot. By my core morality, either our system of governance is fractured, or we as a collective are in fact represented by MAGA. If it’s the latter, you can plant your flag in someone else's lawn. Not mine.
I really appreciate you taking the time to write this, whether you were going to hit post or not. I get what you’re saying. Honestly, a lot of people feel that tension right now: how to celebrate the promise of America when the reality still misses the mark for so many. That tension isn’t unpatriotic, it’s the sign of someone paying attention.
I grew up steeped in those ideals, liberty, equality, rights, and I also see how far we are from fully living them out. But for me, that gap doesn’t make the Declaration irrelevant. It makes it urgent. If the ideas were just propaganda, they wouldn’t keep challenging us like they do. The problem isn’t the principles, it’s how willing we are to fight for them for everyone, not just for ourselves.
You don’t have to wave a flag to be patriotic. Sometimes just telling the truth about where we are, and refusing to give up on what could be, is more patriotic than a thousand fireworks.
It is good to be reminded of our origins and be thankful for the efforts of the Founders and the risks they took to make our country happen.
It is also good to remember that we are ultimately a country of immigrants, and be thankful for how they have enriched our country since its founding. In this regard I stumbled across this video of Arnold Schwarzenegger speaking today at Mt. Vernon to a group of citizens who have just become citizens, which I think is inspiring and worthwhile listening to.
Totally agree, it’s all part of the story. Thanks for sharing the video, too. Arnold speaking at Mt. Vernon to new citizens on the 4th? That’s a pretty great full-circle moment.
Well said. Now it’s up to us, the people, to stand up to the unraveling of our democracy that is happening - and say we want 3 equal branches of government. We want balance, not this lopsided mess we have today.
Thanks, and yes, exactly. The system only works if we show up for it. Equal branches, real checks and balances, that’s not just civics class stuff, it’s the guardrails for everything else. We’ve got to keep reminding folks that democracy isn’t self-cleaning.
Listened to the NPR reading of the declaration today. The last time?? 🥲 But growing up around Boston must have been a fantastic experience. I used to go there for work, and took the "Freedom Walk" (?) once, walking to places I'd only read about from my home in Idaho, 3000 miles away. It was a stirring experience. Later, in 2000, I got to hear Arthur Fiedler conduct the Pops at the esplanade, and then watch the US Constitution sailing out in full rigging, with fireboats spraying colored fountains at her. I love Boston.
That sounds like an incredible memory, Arthur Fiedler and the Constitution in full rigging? That’s Fourth of July level 10! And yes, growing up near Boston was pretty special. You don’t realize how rare it is to have that kind of history right in your backyard until you leave it. The Freedom Trail still gives me goosebumps, those old brick paths have seen some things. Glad you got to experience it. And hey, here’s hoping it wasn’t the last NPR reading!
Cyrus, I’m not sure by the time I finish this soliloquy I’ll post it or cancel it, because I anticipate difficulty expressing my patriotism on this day of celebration. For the record, I’m a white, heterosexual male, and contemplate that position of “safety” and inclusion often. Yet, the abject failure of our country’s effort to implement the ideals expressed in the Declaration render my nationalism surfeited. I labor to infer the relevance of those historical events in today’s culture. White supremacy renders these noble expressions moot. By my core morality, either our system of governance is fractured, or we as a collective are in fact represented by MAGA. If it’s the latter, you can plant your flag in someone else's lawn. Not mine.
Hey Brad,
I really appreciate you taking the time to write this, whether you were going to hit post or not. I get what you’re saying. Honestly, a lot of people feel that tension right now: how to celebrate the promise of America when the reality still misses the mark for so many. That tension isn’t unpatriotic, it’s the sign of someone paying attention.
I grew up steeped in those ideals, liberty, equality, rights, and I also see how far we are from fully living them out. But for me, that gap doesn’t make the Declaration irrelevant. It makes it urgent. If the ideas were just propaganda, they wouldn’t keep challenging us like they do. The problem isn’t the principles, it’s how willing we are to fight for them for everyone, not just for ourselves.
You don’t have to wave a flag to be patriotic. Sometimes just telling the truth about where we are, and refusing to give up on what could be, is more patriotic than a thousand fireworks.
It is good to be reminded of our origins and be thankful for the efforts of the Founders and the risks they took to make our country happen.
It is also good to remember that we are ultimately a country of immigrants, and be thankful for how they have enriched our country since its founding. In this regard I stumbled across this video of Arnold Schwarzenegger speaking today at Mt. Vernon to a group of citizens who have just become citizens, which I think is inspiring and worthwhile listening to.
https://www.fox5dc.com/news/arnold-schwarzenegger-speak-mount-vernon-july-4-celebration
Totally agree, it’s all part of the story. Thanks for sharing the video, too. Arnold speaking at Mt. Vernon to new citizens on the 4th? That’s a pretty great full-circle moment.
Correction: "immigrants who have just become citizens"
Well said. Now it’s up to us, the people, to stand up to the unraveling of our democracy that is happening - and say we want 3 equal branches of government. We want balance, not this lopsided mess we have today.
Thanks, and yes, exactly. The system only works if we show up for it. Equal branches, real checks and balances, that’s not just civics class stuff, it’s the guardrails for everything else. We’ve got to keep reminding folks that democracy isn’t self-cleaning.