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To the editor:
The Fourth of July is not just the date of our country’s founding, it is also the annual opportunity for the nation’s take slingers to Say Something Important About America. Especially with this year being the 250th anniversary of the republic’s birth.
The narratives they will ask us to reflect on, to contemplate, to consider, are all familiar. Some are about America’s descent into autocracy or, perhaps, kakistocracy. Others are about making our country great again (it was already great).
The Fourth of July is not about any of this. The Fourth of July is about hot dogs. It is about fireworks. It is about grilling with friends and family. It is about watching Old Glory ripple in the breeze and enjoying the immense gift of living free in the greatest country on earth.
In 1984, Jesse Jackson said, “Americans are not a perfect people, but we are called to a perfect mission.” You have 364 other days of the year to dwell on our collective imperfections. For one day of the year, you can and you should, free of guilt or fatalism, indulge in the efforts of those who came before you to make such a day possible.
Even if you abhor the current state of our country, you should do this. Especially if you abhor the current state of our country, you should do this. Because you cannot, you will not, sacrifice to save a country you do not authentically love.
Some consider patriotism to be gauche. It is not. It is our common bond. It is the only bond strong enough to lash together so diverse and vast a nation and propel it through the trials of revolution, abolitionism, suffragism and beyond in the never-ending pursuit of our perfect mission.
So, this Fourth of July, make worthwhile the sacrifices made on your behalf, burdened only by the duty to renew your patriotism.
Nick WardRolleston Road
