"Happy Birthday America!" does not feel right.
When I think about a birthday party, I think of family and friends coming together to celebrate a person, to wish them well, and to show them that there is a community who loves and supports them.
Well, Bruce, why can't you do that for the good ol' U.S. of A? Why can't you celebrate the United States, wish it well, and show others that you're part of a community that loves and supports it? Why? Because the United States does not deserve or need a birthday party while it is stripping away civil rights, disappearing people, ravaging the environment, and keeping people poor.
We have all been to birthday parties in the past. They are filled with love, joy, and hopes for the future. Yes, they are also often seasoned with simmering beef between family members, unspoken slights, and the understanding that for one day, the person's flaws are overlooked, but they generally have a positive vibe. In the before times, sure, I could engage in a little escapism, overlook historic flaws and missteps, and join in for a good July 4th Birthday BBQ – but not this year.
You will not find me celebrating the 250th Birthday of the United States, because just like a family member who is making terrible choices that inflict violence, pain, and suffering on themselves and others, the United States does not need a party that glosses over its actions – the United States needs an intervention that confronts them.
While I assume most folks have been to a birthday party, I make no assumption that everyone has participated in an intervention or communal act of holding a loved one accountable. It is excruciating. There is an internal battle between wanting to loudly express rage at them, give up on them, or hug them so tightly that their pain could be released and all would be better in the world. I wish this experience upon no one, but sometimes because of the depth of our love and hope, there is no choice but to honestly and courageously confront our loved ones, or in this case and this year, the behavior of the United States.
Holding loved ones accountable does not diminish my love for them; rather, it is a necessary act that does the opposite: it shows the depth of the love, tenderness, and hope others have for them. Refusal to hold the United States accountable makes me an accomplice and would further normalize and reinforce its behavior. For many celebrations, I have no doubt that this is exactly the intent of many of this weekend's parties, fairs, and celebrations: "Look over here, have some cake, and watch some fireworks, but please do not look over there where we are harming our own citizens, abandoning global partners, choosing war, and ultimately tearing apart our very own soul. " I have written on this before, but like so many who have been challenging the negative effects of Americanism, I am grateful to be part of this country and I have high hopes and expectations for what we can be and become.
I admit that in the past I have allowed myself to overlook things I shouldn't have and participate in the occasional 4th shindig, but in this current political and cultural season, I cannot allow myself to take cover behind the privileges of my wealth, security, and social location. Of course, you do you, but on this Fourth of July, you will not find me celebrating the 250th birthday of our nation. The United States needs to be better before I can do so.
However you will spend your 4th of July, may you know peace,
Peace,
Member comments