I didn't feel particularly patriotic this Independence Day. Of course, I enjoyed hot dogs, queso, guac, potato salad, fruit salad, brownies and more. Of course, I enjoyed the company of friends and strangers. Of course, I enjoyed an excuse to drink alcohol and gorge on added sugar. A holiday is always a time for enjoyment, after all. I just didn't feel any larger sense of purpose or meaningful connection to it. It could have been any random holiday for all I cared.
Not that I've ever felt flag-waving patriotic; the only time I do any flag waving or shirt wearing is in standing behind our national soccer teams, and that's more about support and pride than patriotism. Still, I do think it's good to have an appreciation for one's country, and at times feel pride when progress happens or when the government does actual good in the world. But I've never been the type to feel patriotic every day, much less every 4th of July.
This Independence Day in particular, though, I didn't feel much pride or appreciation. I felt rather embarrassed of my country, actually, since it's such a hot mess right now. Inequality of all sorts causing injustice, undue hardship, and unnecessary tragedy. Racism, prejudice, and bigotry all too alive and thriving. Narcissism, materialism, and vanity eating away at our well-being and distracting us from the things that matter. Bickering and fighting separating us when we need to be coming together. Fear, anger, hate, and depression more center-stage than calmness, peace, love, and happiness.
It's a time when we all need to feel hope for the future, but to top it off with a poisoned cherry, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are the presumptive nominees. The only candidates that realistically have a shot at the Presidency...I don't very hopeful with those options. We are at a critical crossroads where we will either revolutionize our country or crumble. Both candidates seem highly destructive and practically guaranteed to ensure our downfall. Sure, one might be better than the other, but only in the sense that cancer is better than AIDS. The future of our country looks grim.
I do still hold out hope that we can change course and create a better government and society, however slowly it happens. But right now I don't feel there's much to appreciate or be proud of as an American. I feel downright embarrassed of America. Although, as we celebrated our independence from the United Kingdom, I did take momentary solace that we haven't screwed up as badly as the UK just did. In leaving the EU, those bloody Brits buggered themselves and really went tits up! But hey, our time may soon come to join them.
Happy Birthday, America?
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