Remember Why the Fourth of July

[WinkHPD]

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things.The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
~John Stuart Mill

Although written in the 1800's, it could well be describing the courage of 56 men who signed one of the greatest documents of all time. One that would exact a high toll in suffering and deaths, many by disease and starvation. Yet for all of its sacrifices and costs, it brought us as a Nation a freedom unparalleled in the world.

As we celebrate our freedom tomorrow, let's make it more than a day off of work for fireworks and BBQ. Please remember and honor those who paid for that freedom and those who continue to do so each and every day.

Wink

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Excellent, Wink! Every single word.

 

[Arcadian]

@Wink, the 4th of July for me always been a bit of a conflict Indeed my own father served as did many on both sides of my family going way back and I give thanks to those who gave their lives for freedom.

But my ancestry is also from the line of slaves brought to this country, and not just of the african variety. We should never forget the Iris slaves sent to this country, many of whom were mated to africans to create "a cheaper slave". Few years ago when I started tracing my father's family history it lead me to Kentucky, then Virginia The further back I dug, the less I found, and then I hit the Slaves Schedules of 1850 and 1860.

The range of emotions was to say the least, overwhelming, because my ancestors were considered property.More than a chair maybe, but less than livestock. And that it wasn't exactly that long ago. On the slave census (indeed the case in many states that had slaves at that time), no slaves were mentioned by name. Only the owner, the sex, the age, and if that slave was mulatto. The unfortunate part is that I will not unless by luck be able to go any further.

So my conflict is deep though I think, quite understandable. On the one hand, many of my family have fought and died for the freedom to exist as free men and women. Not only from those outside the country but from also within. While one must move forward I think its silly to forget or sweep under the rug the entire history of what the United States was....the good and the not so good.

I think those that know their history have a intimate glimpse of history in this country, so the holiday can also be viewed to be somewhat bittersweet. We are a country of immigrants, true, but some of which were brought here by force, which goes outside of the color divide.

 

[tyty333]

Definitely a day to remember those that have sacrificed for us to live here. I love this country!

 

[AGBF]

@Wink, the 4th of July for me always been a bit of a conflict Indeed my own father served as did many on both sides of my family going way back and I give thanks to those who gave their lives for freedom.

But my ancestry is also from the line of slaves brought to this country, and not just of the african variety. We should never forget the Iris slaves sent to this country, many of whom were mated to africans to create "a cheaper slave". Few years ago when I started tracing my father's family history it lead me to Kentucky, then Virginia The further back I dug, the less I found, and then I hit the Slaves Schedules of 1850 and 1860.

The range of emotions was to say the least, overwhelming, because my ancestors were considered property.More than a chair maybe, but less than livestock. And that it wasn't exactly that long ago. On the slave census (indeed the case in many states that had slaves at that time), no slaves were mentioned by name. Only the owner, the sex, the age, and if that slave was mulatto. The unfortunate part is that I will not unless by luck be able to go any further.

So my conflict is deep though I think, quite understandable. On the one hand, many of my family have fought and died for the freedom to exist as free men and women. Not only from those outside the country but from also within. While one must move forward I think its silly to forget or sweep under the rug the entire history of what the United States was....the good and the not so good.

I think those that know their history have a intimate glimpse of history in this country, so the holiday can also be viewed to be somewhat bittersweet. We are a country of immigrants, true, but some of which were brought here by force, which goes outside of the color divide.

Arcadian,

Thank you for your thoughtful and educational essay about slavery.



It is very important for us today to understand how the history of our country actually unfolded. Not only do our ancestors deserve that we remember their struggles, but our understanding how the past is key to our understanding the present. There is no way to understand how African-Americans have developed as a cultural group without understanding where they came from; how they were brought here; how they were treated as slaves; and how they were treated when they were released from slavery but subjected to segregation and racism.

Many, many years ago I took some courses in the African slave trade. I have forgotten a great deal of the small amount i once learned. I do remember learning that slaves who were brought to the United States from Africa were separated from people in their same tribes. The slavers did not want them to be able to communicate and form bonds. In many South American countries, this was not the case. In South America, slaves from the same tribes were often kept together and they were able to communicate with each other in their native tongue and continue their social bonds. Naturally, the South American way was a lot easier on the slaves (although one does not want to paint a rosy picture of any slavery!).

The 4th of July is well worth celebrating for the virtues it brought forth, but it did not eradicate all evils from our country. We will have to keep working on that. Thanks again, Arcadian.

Deb

 

[Arcadian]

You know Deb, I hope people don't think I'm being a killjoy. I'm wrote from a granular but important (at least to me) viewpoint. Of course there are others who came here because they wanted to, for them it represented opportunity and freedom, and plenty of them got just that.

But the history of this country is rocky and sometimes, forgotten or even romaticized. Someone recommended to me to read about the Seminole Wars in Florida. Not exactly light summer reading but eye opening. There's a lot to learn about Florida, which is quite the mixed bag of history.

One one hand I have a lot of pride in my country. On the other, I just want to shake it....lol I'm sure thats a feeling many of us have.

 

[TooPatient]

You know Deb, I hope people don't think I'm being a killjoy. I'm wrote from a granular but important (at least to me) viewpoint. Of course there are others who came here because they wanted to, for them it represented opportunity and freedom, and plenty of them got just that.

But the history of this country is rocky and sometimes, forgotten or even romaticized. Someone recommended to me to read about the Seminole Wars in Florida. Not exactly light summer reading but eye opening. There's a lot to learn about Florida, which is quite the mixed bag of history.

One one hand I have a lot of pride in my country. On the other, I just want to shake it....lol I'm sure thats a feeling many of us have.

Not a killjoy! You remind us all that we need to learn and teach the WHOLE history of our country and not just select pictures from a history book.
I do believe that we live in a great country but that we are only human as were those who founded our country. We make mistakes. They also made mistakes. Those mistakes are a part of our history just as much as the signing of the Declaration of Independence or the battle at Gettysburg or any other event.

For me, the fourth of July is a time to celebrate this country that I am proud to call mine and remember all those in my family who were and are so proud to call it theirs too. It is also a time to think back on where we came from, the struggles we have overcome, the mistakes we have made, the successes we have shared in, and how much more there is that we are working towards. To me, one of the greatest things about "my" country is that we are free to discuss ideas and opinions and disagree with one another while working to make it an even better place for future generations.

(btw, a great documentary series on our country's history and the slave trade is called Up From Slavery -- very well done and covered information that I had not been aware of before)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The beauty of history is to teach us not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Even though some were brought here against their will, which is horrendous, their descendants have the great privilege of living in a free country and even the freedom to leave, if they wish. Some of our ancestors came here because of religious persecution, and I am thankful for the freedom we have here.

Anyway, Happy Independence Day, and a big thank you to Wink, Jon, and other members here and their family members who have served or do serve our country to preserve our freedom! God bless America!

 

[azstonie]

You know Deb, I hope people don't think I'm being a killjoy. I'm wrote from a granular but important (at least to me) viewpoint. Of course there are others who came here because they wanted to, for them it represented opportunity and freedom, and plenty of them got just that.

**************************************************************

No way is what you shared a "killjoy!" It's real, it's authentic. It's a welcome alternative to preachy , empty, facile cliches that are nothing more than sales pitches poorly disguised. Please don't squash yourself in deference to that!!!!!

 

[Jambalaya]

The Fourth is one of my favorite days of the year - might actually be my favorite. I always think of it as a supremely happy day. The sun's always shining, people are off work, having fun, laughing, coming together in their communities. It's just a feel-good day all round, and I treasure it. There are too few of these days in life. None of this is to say that I don't appreciate the history behind it too, of course.

 

[telephone89]

@Wink, the 4th of July for me always been a bit of a conflict Indeed my own father served as did many on both sides of my family going way back and I give thanks to those who gave their lives for freedom.

But my ancestry is also from the line of slaves brought to this country, and not just of the african variety. We should never forget the Iris slaves sent to this country, many of whom were mated to africans to create "a cheaper slave". Few years ago when I started tracing my father's family history it lead me to Kentucky, then Virginia The further back I dug, the less I found, and then I hit the Slaves Schedules of 1850 and 1860.

The range of emotions was to say the least, overwhelming, because my ancestors were considered property.More than a chair maybe, but less than livestock. And that it wasn't exactly that long ago. On the slave census (indeed the case in many states that had slaves at that time), no slaves were mentioned by name. Only the owner, the sex, the age, and if that slave was mulatto. The unfortunate part is that I will not unless by luck be able to go any further.

So my conflict is deep though I think, quite understandable. On the one hand, many of my family have fought and died for the freedom to exist as free men and women. Not only from those outside the country but from also within. While one must move forward I think its silly to forget or sweep under the rug the entire history of what the United States was....the good and the not so good.

I think those that know their history have a intimate glimpse of history in this country, so the holiday can also be viewed to be somewhat bittersweet. We are a country of immigrants, true, but some of which were brought here by force, which goes outside of the color divide.

Thank you for posting this. I know many indigenous people who feel similarly. With Canada 150, there was a lot of backlash because, sure, that was the date a piece of paper was signed, but it also signified thousands of deaths of indigenous people, who had their land taken, their homes stolen and their children punished for years to come in residential schools.
What you speak of is important to remember. Neither of our countries are the magical unicorns we make them out to be, and ignoring the ugly history in favour of polite white washing does no one any good.

I hope all the US PSers are enjoying their time off

 

[Arcadian]

The Fourth is one of my favorite days of the year - might actually be my favorite. I always think of it as a supremely happy day. The sun's always shining, people are off work, having fun, laughing, coming together in their communities. It's just a feel-good day all round, and I treasure it. There are too few of these days in life. None of this is to say that I don't appreciate the history behind it too, of course.

Surprisingly a lot of stuff open today especially retail. As a kid NOTHING was open, but seems like more and more things stay open for one reason or another though I do remember growing up everything had to be done the day before because at best, if you needed anything on the holiday at a store you'd have to hit a 7-11 or rite aid.

Being it was so hot and disgusting, we went to Home Depot as the dog loves it there and the people that work there love seeing her. I'm thankful the one closest to me is so dog friendly (she's got her own fan club...lol)

But I also worked today because I'm a workaholic Just an early a.m. stint. we're planning on heading to the beach in about an hour when it cools off a bit.

 

[december-fire]

Wishing everyone a wonderful Fourth of July!

I suspect no country, or person, would repeat every action in their past. Hopefully, in the big picture, we make progress. We learn, we remember, we make changes. Despite past behaviours which we wish had never occurred, there are also many of which we can be proud. And thankful.

I'm not proud of everything my beloved Canada has done in the past, nor am I supportive of everything that is currently occurring in my country. But looking at the whole, I believe Canada, like the US, is a great country.

I am forever in awe of, inspired by, and thankful for, the incredible achievements of those who came before me. Both in Canada and the US. I know my life wouldn't be what it is today if not for discoveries and accomplishments of many wonderful Americans. Thank you.