As I’ve grown older, I don’t experience any holiday without some internal conflict. Except for maybe, arbor day - how could a guy with my name have any problems with a day reserved for planting trees?
All jokes aside, as you grow - like the trees you plant on Arbor Day - it becomes harder to accept anything with all exuberance and no cynicism. And July 4th is no exception.
It’s unclear what we’re supposed to be celebrating, the nation we are, the nation we were, or the nation we ought to be. I would say the latter should take priority, but as a people, I don’t think we’re talking about our potential enough.
It’s not lost on me, however, despite my aforementioned cynicism, that the founding vision of America is still very much alive with the immigrant. Every restaurant, every corner store, or doctor and scientist that moved here with a mission and succeeded is a reminder of what we ought to be.
Maybe, I’m the one who’s wrong. Maybe, America still is that country - and I can’t see the forest through the trees.
So, today, let’s celebrate the founders, the experimenters, the immigrants - old and new. Happy Independence Day.
Two Americas
one filled with hate
the other with love
one selling health
the other pushing drugs
one that is tolerant
the other less so
one that loves theatre
the other loves the show
one concerned with the future
the other can't see past its face
one that only wants to win
the other obsessed with the race
one that has sex
the other, not so sure
one is outgoing
the other, demure
one is liberated
the other has clergy
all are welcome at one
the other, none are worthy
one that says kill
the other agrees
both shout kill kill kill
and jump with glee
one thinks it's the other
the other, the one
one is depressed
the other has no fun
one is proud
the other, ashamed
Two Americas
one in the same