Perspective is the natural enemy of hypocrisy.
The US is celebrating its independence the weekend of 4
July, 2020. But we are missing the perspective of the people that are not
enjoying the self-evident truths and the Rule of Law that our Constitution supposedly guarantees. From children in immigration
concentration camps, to African-American racism among law enforcement; Life, Liberty,
and the Pursuit of Happiness is still somewhat far off.
It is fitting then, I suppose, that the actual declaration
of independence was made on July 2nd, 1776, not July 4th. History and
perspective are captives of time and culture.
I was under the mistaken impression, some 30 years ago, that
the culture of white privilege in this country was eroding; by the 21st
century we would be far beyond where we are now.
My perspective was to blame. As a white Marine
Corps veteran, with as many black friends as white, I had put my racist upbringing
to a peaceful rest. My admiration for Martin
Luther King, and the later success of Barack Obama, made me all the surer that
we were slowly coming out of our racial dark ages.
I could not have been more wrong if I tried. The new millennia gave rise to Social Media and right wing tabloids that elevated persistent white nationalism. And, in 2016, we reaped what they had sown.
So, on this July 4th, let’s reflect, more than
party, for a change. Let us reflect on the promise of the Constitution
and Bill of Rights.
Just celebrating that we have them does not seem like enough
right now.
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