By GREGORY ZELLER //
Whatever your personal politics and beliefs, there’s no doubt America is a divided nation right now – arguably, more divided than at any point since the U.S. Civil War.
But the fact that we can debate like this – that demagogues and rabblerousers are still welcomed on the stage – proves the American Dream is alive and well. You can’t proclaim “free speech” and then limit what’s said; liars are free to lie, and whether we believe them is up to us.
It’s easy to embrace hate, or blame hate for everything that’s wrong. It’s easy to point fingers at “them.” Easy to turn your back on the flag, and just as easy to hug it.
It’s not so easy to recognize that the raging conflict of American politics is our national birthright. The United States was born in a conflagration of political rhetoric; perhaps it’s destined to be forever consumed by it.
However you view the current state of national affairs, your freedom to view it as you do is the very point.
It’s the Fourth of July, a holiday where we celebrate the politically charged rebellion that gave the USA these very rights. However you choose to acknowledge it – or don’t – it’s a great time to remember that freedom of speech, freedom of thought, the right to blindly follow a narcissistic huckster or impulsively support a bleeding-heart tree-hugger … these things form the backbone of our nation.
We are divided. But in some ways, we always have been.
And our backbone is strong.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend. Enjoy your family and your freedoms.
And maybe let go of your hate for a short while. You might not agree with the other guy, but he’s an American, too. Remember that.
But as he goes around he shows
A shabby little home-made sign that tells me
Here’s a man who favors an
Unpalatable point of view.
It seems to me he’s absolutely WRONG!
(his opinion is)
WRONG!
(my opinion is)
He and I could never get along
In a million years.
BUT the man with the sign’s a friend of mine
All alone in his proud endeavor
And as long as I fight for this man’s right
That’s the glory of the stars and stripes forever.
– From “The Man With the Sign” (lyrics by Sheldon Harnick)
