4th Of July

10 Comments

1. Rachel MinnickJuly 2,2020 at 4:26PM UTC

   Personally, I don’t celebrate it and don’t feel bad about it. The notion of “freedom” in 1776 is a white male definition that needs to be viewed from
   a different lens.

2. Lady GotThereJuly 2,2020 at 6:43PM UTC

   I actually encourage people to celebrate it for those same reasons. By pointing to a specific time and place where it is ok and appropriate to express positivity about the USA, it is easier to prevent self-esteem issues derailing anti-racism conversations the rest of the year.

   ex:

   "Yes Jeanine, you are right. There is a lot of good in America and the country has made a lot of progress. But the time and place for that celebration and acknowledging success is July 4th. Here and now is the time and place to be addressing our civic failures and how we can successfully reach our goals of being a free, just, and equal society"

   Get buy-in and get back on track.

3. Rachel MinnickJuly 2,2020 at 8:39PM UTC

   Maybe if the celebration was centered on something that a workplace was specifically doing for 4th of July, it would be appropriate to use it as a teaching moment, but I wouldn't assume that someone who wants to see fireworks or a parade on the holiday is clueless to the changing times.

4. Lady GotThereJuly 2,2020 at 9:41PM UTC

   It isn't about assuming intent, but managing social capital and picking battles.

5. Rachel MinnickJuly 2,2020 at 11:06PM UTC

   I'm not totally following what you mean by social capital here.

6. Lady GotThereJuly 3,2020 at 1:26AM UTC

   Can you elaborate?

7. Rachel MinnickJuly 3,2020 at 8:02PM UTC

   I meant that I don't know what "managing social capital" means as it relates to the original post.

8. Lady GotThereJuly 5,2020 at 5:06PM UTC

   It doesn't relate to the original post. I thought your comment was on my example.

9. Cynthia Jones 1128July 2,2020 at 4:57PM UTC

   All fireworks have been cancelled but we're having a small family gathering - under 10 people. My neighbors are planning on having some fireworks so I may see a few. The signing of the declaration of independence was the start of a new nation. It wasn't perfect but it was a start. Our nation continues to grow and change but this was the start. There have been a lot of steps forward and back during the past 244 years. I have hope that we will continue moving forward. Having lived in several foreign countries, I appreciate our freedoms even if they're imperfect.

10. Lady GotThereJuly 2,2020 at 6:16PM UTC

    It is natural to feel conflicted about celebrating when black deaths due to police brutality and everyone deaths due to Covid 19 are fresh on our minds.

    Even so, making and investing in a time and place to have positive emotions, recognize progress, and celebrate is important to preventing burn out on those same issues (assuming you were fully engaging previously), and maintaining good health.

    Private ways you can do that:

    - make cookies or cupcakes to eat
    - wear some fun clothes
    - do some reading that makes you feel happy about the country and its progress
    - talk to close friends
    - watch a good thematic movie on netflix

    Rejuvenate as a citizen so that after July 4th you can continue or newly pursue good works.

    Relevant good works include:
    - updating your voter registration, and helping your friends do the same
    - donate time or money to a political campaign or charity, according to your (sustainable) ability.
    - it is always timely to extend to the poor and homeless