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Even after July 4 was declared a holiday of Independence many people on this continent continued to live under tyranny. Some had already lived here for generations when the people who would declare Independence arrived. Others had been torn from their homes and dragged here forcibly. Where is their independence from tyranny? Are any of their names "officially" associated with this holiday?
Let's be very clear. The current executive branch administration is pushing for a race war at every scale. Listen to the president's speeches carefully and critically, if you can stomach them. This business stands in direct opposition to all racial, cultural, or other socially divisive speech or behavior. Confronting divisiveness and "otherness" requires constant vigilance. No one is immune or free of the responsibility to participate. We all need to see each other as parts of the same, not the same old parts. How much can a tiny little business like ours contribute to resolving these entrenched issues and the persistent dominance of white supremacy in America? As much as any single entity. The ability to change society relies on society changing. We are all members of society. Start seeing every other person as someone just like you. They breathe, they work, they have families and friends, they like this or that food, they enjoy this or that book or TV show. We're shaped by our environments, both physical and social. If we're surrounded by hate speech and aggression toward certain groups of people, we're likely eventually to believe those words and act the same way. Finding independence and liberty for everyone is thus a constant effort. We should all gently and compassionately remind each other when someone slips up and exhibits a prejudice that hurts or offends someone else, or when we act in a way that threatens or endangers someone who has fewer resources to avoid harm and to find safety in our midst. It would be nice if every person in this country were fairly represented in our government and fairly treated in greater society. That's our Independence Day wish for you. |
