COVID-19 Lockdown, Day 103
Well, tomorrow, July 4th, is the big day. The day I turn, yes, 40.
I plan to first, spend the morning walking and in prayer. I then will go to my mother's house for a cookout and maybe see fireworks later. And for those who do not know the story, I thought the fireworks were for me until I was 9 years old.
There has been some talk in the African-American community about the 4th of July this year. I have heard some say to treat it like a regular day, some have said to wear black, and others are probably going to use this day to protest. In a way, I understand their concerns. Some are rooted in historical hypocrisies, and others insist that there are lessons America is too slow in learning. I remember the scene from Roots, in which Fiddler, Bell, and Kunta/Toby are in the kitchen talking about how the Americans won the War of Independence. When Bell marveled at how the local Whites had been celebrating and shouting about freedom being won, Fiddler, as a joke, replied,
"Ain't that just fine, though? White folks be free. I been worrying and tossing in the night about them getting their freedom. Been the mostest thing on my mind.Sure am one happy n____r, now. Don't have to worry about the poor white folks no more."
Indeed, the irony of it all was undoubtedly laughable, fighting a war for freedom whilst keeping slaves for 82 years after victory. Then, there was a section of the book about the Delany centenarians, "Having Our Say," "Somebody asked us if we remembered seeing the Statue of Liberty as we pulled into the harbor. Tell you the truth, we didn’t care too much about it. The Statue of Liberty was important to white European immigrants. It was a symbol to them. We knew it wasn’t meant for us." That is a very sad thing to hear. Alas, it sometimes seems that when the Constitution was written, as well as the words of the Declaration of Independence. What the Delany sisters did not know was that the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, was to commemorate the abolition of slavery! Hence, while they used the Roman goddess Libertas for the statue, it was essentially built for African Americans! Of course, it also became a symbol for immigrants on their way to Ellis Island, but it is now the symbol for freedom and everything the heart of America stands for.
Even if the original authors of the Constitution meant for it to safeguard the rights of free, wealthy, White male landowners, the language thereof cannot exclude women, the poor, and people of color. It took hundreds of years of struggle, but we still have miles to go. Still, we must work within the Constitution, and not disregard it, which is what some progressives want to do. The cornerstone of America is the Constitution. Remove it, and the entire country will fall apart. Still, this is what some people wish to do, and that is evil. They must be stopped by any means necessary.
So, America is unjust? America is corrupt? America is bigoted? Well, why is it that so many people around the world are trying so hard to get into this country and stay here? In fact, people like my best friend and her family appreciate this country far more than those who were born here. They don't burn or step on the flag. They don't insult those who disagree with them. They don't mock our president. All they want to do is raise their children with the opportunities and freedom that they do not get back home. They appreciate America, and they expose their children to America values whilst making sure they know about their Indian culture. These immigrants put so many homegrown American kvetchers to shame. At least we have the freedom to openly disagree and sleep well at night. At least we can go out and protest. If people are still so unhappy, they can leave and go to their French, Dutch, or Canadian promised lands. See if they are any better, and resettle their if you choose. But I am staying right here.
--Signing off.
I plan to first, spend the morning walking and in prayer. I then will go to my mother's house for a cookout and maybe see fireworks later. And for those who do not know the story, I thought the fireworks were for me until I was 9 years old.
There has been some talk in the African-American community about the 4th of July this year. I have heard some say to treat it like a regular day, some have said to wear black, and others are probably going to use this day to protest. In a way, I understand their concerns. Some are rooted in historical hypocrisies, and others insist that there are lessons America is too slow in learning. I remember the scene from Roots, in which Fiddler, Bell, and Kunta/Toby are in the kitchen talking about how the Americans won the War of Independence. When Bell marveled at how the local Whites had been celebrating and shouting about freedom being won, Fiddler, as a joke, replied,
"Ain't that just fine, though? White folks be free. I been worrying and tossing in the night about them getting their freedom. Been the mostest thing on my mind.Sure am one happy n____r, now. Don't have to worry about the poor white folks no more."
Indeed, the irony of it all was undoubtedly laughable, fighting a war for freedom whilst keeping slaves for 82 years after victory. Then, there was a section of the book about the Delany centenarians, "Having Our Say," "Somebody asked us if we remembered seeing the Statue of Liberty as we pulled into the harbor. Tell you the truth, we didn’t care too much about it. The Statue of Liberty was important to white European immigrants. It was a symbol to them. We knew it wasn’t meant for us." That is a very sad thing to hear. Alas, it sometimes seems that when the Constitution was written, as well as the words of the Declaration of Independence. What the Delany sisters did not know was that the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, was to commemorate the abolition of slavery! Hence, while they used the Roman goddess Libertas for the statue, it was essentially built for African Americans! Of course, it also became a symbol for immigrants on their way to Ellis Island, but it is now the symbol for freedom and everything the heart of America stands for.
Even if the original authors of the Constitution meant for it to safeguard the rights of free, wealthy, White male landowners, the language thereof cannot exclude women, the poor, and people of color. It took hundreds of years of struggle, but we still have miles to go. Still, we must work within the Constitution, and not disregard it, which is what some progressives want to do. The cornerstone of America is the Constitution. Remove it, and the entire country will fall apart. Still, this is what some people wish to do, and that is evil. They must be stopped by any means necessary.
So, America is unjust? America is corrupt? America is bigoted? Well, why is it that so many people around the world are trying so hard to get into this country and stay here? In fact, people like my best friend and her family appreciate this country far more than those who were born here. They don't burn or step on the flag. They don't insult those who disagree with them. They don't mock our president. All they want to do is raise their children with the opportunities and freedom that they do not get back home. They appreciate America, and they expose their children to America values whilst making sure they know about their Indian culture. These immigrants put so many homegrown American kvetchers to shame. At least we have the freedom to openly disagree and sleep well at night. At least we can go out and protest. If people are still so unhappy, they can leave and go to their French, Dutch, or Canadian promised lands. See if they are any better, and resettle their if you choose. But I am staying right here.
--Signing off.
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