When I was a child, American patriotism was still strongly linked to the liberal ideals of freedom, equality and the rule of law. My history teachers instructed us on how the hunger for true liberty was the primary motivation behind the American revolution.
Well, it’s been a long time since I was done with school, and things sure have changed. These days, flag-waving is at an all-time high, but those same Americans who are most passionate about waving the flag are also most passionate in their opposition to the very same values that our Founding Fathers fought for.
Today is July 4. Lots of people just call this holiday The Fourth of July, but that’s not its real name. July 4 is more properly known as Independence Day. On this day, we are supposed to celebrate the achievement of American independence from the tyrannical monarchy of Britain’s King George. Instead, most Americans these days spend Independence Day celebrating hot dogs, days off of work, and long naps. Don’t get me wrong: Food and rest ought to be appreciated. Still, the original depth of Independence Day has mostly been lost.
The right wing has taken over most Independence Day celebrations. They’ve made July 4 a day to commemorate the greatness of being American. To them, the American national identity is something to celebrate, no matter how far that national identity swerves from the ideals upon which our nation was founded. I’ll admit that I’m lucky to be an American, but my reasons for appreciation are far different from the reasons cited by the American right wing. Whereas right wingers seem to value America’s prosperity and power, what I most appreciate is the liberty that American citizens are entitled to enjoy.
Sadly, over the last five years, the liberty of American citizens has been dramatically assaulted by their own government. The Republican rulers in the White House and Congress have undermined Americans’ right to free speech, the right to peaceably assemble, the freedom from government establishment of religion, freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, the presumption of innocence, and even the simple right of habeas corpus. At every opportunity, through unjust laws and executive action, the Republican government has attacked, liberty, equality, justice, and the American way.
I want to take the opportunity of this holiday to counter the right wing’s claim of possession over Independence Day. America’s national independence doesn’t mean a thing without the ideals of true democracy that are the only guarantees of true independence. What does it matter to me if America is no longer a British colony when our own independent government smashes the same liberties it has promised to protect? The Republicans currently in power have replaced America’s traditions of liberal democracy with the fear-inspiring, freedom smashing agendas of theocracy and nationalism. The Republicans have traded our great American liberty for a sham of nationhood, reducing America’s national identity to nothing more than physical control of that large piece of turf they’ve taken to calling “The Homeland”.
Let’s get this straight today: The beauty of America’s independence is not in its ability to control North American turf without foreign interference. The idealism of 1776 promised independence from oppression by tyrannical government. On this Independence Day, let us renew the promise of 1776 by pledging to do all we can to peaceably and legally remove our own King George from his throne.
As I wrote yesterday on this very topic, the colonists appealed to the King and the (British) constitution right up until — and even after — the start of hostilities.
The similarities between then and now are striking, if only you’re actually looking, only this time the tyranny arises from within. And “homeland security” as it’s being implemented here is not making anyone secure but politicians and corporations.
P.S. The comment box is too small.
Hey did any of you folks get a load of that assembly in NYC? Some guy Zinn got a bunch of people to talk about how ‘independence day’ is miserable to natives and blacks. I caught blips of it during my daily dose of America sux propaganda. (girls: the voice of james earl jones.. oooh mmm!) Sounded really brilliant n stuff, wish i heard more.
Right after the Revolution, the white guys started their club, and set up their schools to keep it that way: segregation, no natives or women, and later no immigrants or other religions besides Protestant. The Irish, Italians, Germans, Native Americans, Negros, Asians and Mexicans were effectively kept out of the schools until finally in 1960′s and 70′s things changed. Even if you were born here, you weren’t a citizen unless you were white Anglo-Saxon Protestant until the twentieth century. White people have done a lot of damage over the years and it looks like we’re not out of the woods yet (at least on the international stage). When are we all going to learn? We should have become a world society long ago.
we will only learn when we do become a global society. Why for gods sake is it necessary to talk about british tyranny? that was over 200years ago. Our irish problem is caused entirely by people on both sides harking back to the past. If you americans don’t do more about global warming (and as a scientist working in antarctica i can tell you it DOES exist) then we won’t have a civilisation to argue about