Across the United States, as the nation marks its 250th birthday, a peculiar phenomenon has emerged. Amidst the cacophony of partisan rhetoric and social media vitriol, many Americans have chosen to tune out the din and instead focus on their own personal definitions of America the Beautiful.
In this era of unyielding divisiveness, it is remarkable that so many individuals are seeking solace in their own individual conceptions of national pride. For some, like auto technician Joe Fuqua-Bejarano from Topeka, Kansas, resilience has emerged as a key component of what makes America awesome. "We've just all got to find unity somewhere, whether that's in laughter or perseverance, and keep everybody cool," he said.
Others, such as Christina Zhou, a 25-year-old research assistant from Cambridge, Massachusetts, have opted for a more localized approach. "There are lots of points of contention going around," she noted. Yet "there are still a lot of beautiful things that are happening." Her solution? Focusing on local events and activities within her control.
Meanwhile, farmer Mindy Dean, 50, and her family in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, have taken a decidedly more low-key approach to the holiday. They will be milking their goats Saturday and maybe taking in some local fireworks. Or maybe not. The 250th hoopla has been mostly lost on them. "We're just happy Americans," she said. "We kinda do our own thing and just enjoy our freedom as Americans."
In contrast, goat-free Neil Casey, an 81-year-old retiree from Nashua, New Hampshire, and his friend Maureen Regan have taken a more adventurous approach to celebrating the nation's birthday. They are roaming Boston's historical sites, like Paul Revere's house, and attending as many of the city's Fourth events as they can manage. Their solution to the partisan noise? Immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the 250th.
Of course, not everyone is so sanguine about the celebrations. For some, the holiday has become a focal point for their discontent with the current state of affairs. Madeline Capodilupo, 26, a special-education teacher from Boston, expressed her dismay at the way the Fourth has been co-opted by President Donald Trump's political agenda. "When you're celebrating the Fourth of July right now, it feels like that's like a Republican thing to do," she said.
Others have taken a more existential approach to the holiday. Ronald Hall, an 81-year-old veteran from Detroit, reflected on his lifetime experiences and the ideals he has come to associate with America. "I grew up remembering the promise," he said. "That's what we celebrated: the promise, not the country."
As the nation marks its quarter-millennium milestone, it is clear that America's 250th birthday is a time for both celebration and introspection. Amidst the cacophony of noise and divisiveness, many Americans are seeking to find their own personal sense of national pride.
For some, like Leo LeClerc, an 83-year-old Air Force veteran from New Hampshire, that sense of pride is rooted in a deep-seated faith in American democracy. "I believe this country is the greatest that ever existed," he said. "Our democracy is strong and it will continue to be strong as long as people participate in it."
Others, like Tom Gaumont, 74, an Army veteran and former history teacher from New Hampshire, have a more melancholic view of the nation's prospects. "I'm kinda sad at this point with what I anticipate," he said. "I've seen and taught about how these things kind of crumble, so I'm concerned."
As America enters its next quarter-millennium, it is clear that the nation will continue to be shaped by the diverse perspectives and experiences of its citizens. Whether one chooses to focus on local celebrations, national ideals, or personal freedoms, the Fourth of July remains a powerful symbol of American resilience.
In the end, as Gary MacGrath, 77, a caricaturist from suburban Philadelphia, so astutely observed: "It's 250 years. Let's keep democracy going."
Written by: Clark Fader | The Citizen Edition
“Power will prevail.”