What does Independence Day really mean to Americans? If you peer across the pond, it’s a hotbed of drama right now. With Trump elected, protests, travel bans, FBI drama, congressional hearings, and more… I wonder sometimes how Americans really feel this 4th of July.
One of my Angie’s Angels, team member Amy, lives in the States and has some strong opinions.
For myself , true patriotism means standing up for those in society who aren’t given the same opportunities.
Independence Day is all about those who aren’t being treated with the same respect and given the same individual liberty that others are.
Being a patriot is to align myself with the ideas this country was built upon. The Declaration of Independence lays it out beautifully.
All men are created equal. They are endowed not by government, but by birth, with certain unalienable rights. First and foremost among those rights are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Government must be committed and bound to protecting the peace and preserving our individual liberties, and doing so through the informed consent of the people. It’s the inalienable right of a free people to rid themselves of a government that becomes destructive of those liberties, just as our Founders did in a supreme act of courage and defiance more than two hundred years ago. And when these liberties are in danger — dissent is inevitable.
Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying that “dissent is the highest form of patriotism”, and I believe that to be true. That’s why I protest. That’s why I marched for women the day after our President was elected. Why I donate to the American Civil Liberties Union. Why I support media outlets that are unbiased and not corrupted. It’s why I continue to call my representatives and tell them to vote against the travel ban and the defunding of Planned Parenthood and to vote against the new health care bill.
Independence Day means that I continue to support the values set forth in the constitution, helping to ensure that everybody – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion – has the opportunity to enjoy the democratic freedoms of our nation. It’s about working not just for ourselves, but for the good of everyone. Equality means everybody, not just a chosen few. If there was one thing I would tell my friends around the world… it is that most of us didn’t and don’t support the current President of the United States. We do love our country but don’t always agree with what our country does.
Being a patriot is often confused with blind pride in one’s nation. Being a TRUE patriot is love of one’s nation… warts and all.
Loving my country means unconditional love. It’s about understanding that history will show you things of which you can be proud AS WELL AS things of which you will be ashamed. And yes… right now I am ashamed. But Independence Day reminds me that this country is worth fighting for, and that I will continue to fight for the Independence of ALL Americans no matter what.
Thanks Amy, you sure do have a love for your country and are obviously proud to be an American.
To all my American readers I hope you found Amy’s words exhilarating, and whether in the United States, here in the UK or across Europe or the Caribbean I wish you a happy, peaceful and meaningful Independence Day.
