Published
5 years agoon
A simple question about the quintessential American holiday of fireworks, cookouts and parades isn’t always simple.
As Americans celebrate the nation’s 242nd birthday, some feel a deeper sense of patriotism. For others, the social issues roiling the country weigh heavy this Independence Day.
Standing in front of Boston’s Faneuil Hall on Tuesday, tour guide Cara McIntyre said she takes special pride this time of the year in recounting the courage of American colonists like Samuel Adams, who called for rebellion against the English crown in fiery speeches at the historic hall.
But she laments that Americans’ ability to respectfully debate the toughest issues of the day — to disagree without being disagreeable — seems hopelessly lost.
“This bitter divisiveness of the last decade, I think the Founding Fathers would be really sad about that,” said the 57-year-old Massachusetts native as she greeted passers-by in her floral-print, colonial-era dress. “Social media has made bullies of all of us. People say things there that they’d never say to someone’s face.”
In Chicago, Philip Wiley, a 77-year-old retired public school counselor, is blunt about what’s ailing the nation.
“A lot of it has to do with the present administration in Washington,” Wiley said as he stopped to admire a massive flag hanging from the city’s iconic Wrigley Building Tuesday.
Floyd Champion, 77, counts money at his roadside produce stand in Alabaster, Ala., on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. A big fan of President Donald Trump, Champion said he plans to spend July 4 selling watermelons, tomatoes and other produce from the back of his pickup truck. Champion said he is feeling more patriotic than ever because of the success Trump has had in office. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)
Out in Anchorage, Alaska, Darl Schaaff says July Fourth should be a time for a deeply divided nation to put personal politics aside.
“This is not about politics,” he said as took a break from helping set up the city’s downtown celebration. “This is about the founding of our country and freedom.”
Vietnam War veteran and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas Moe, in Lancaster, Ohio, said the holiday should be a day to appreciate the differences that make the nation great.
“At a time when we seem to be at each other’s throats more than ever, I think we need to step back a little bit,” said the 74-year -old, who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war and later served as director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. “We could be like Venezuela, or Russia or China, where everybody on the surface says or thinks the same thing, and we never want to go that way.”
In Portland, Maine, chef Brad Messier agreed with the sentiments but said the country’s tribalism is too great to ignore.
“This is a holiday that, in theory, brings us together as a country but, in reality, we’re still camped out on our two very separate sides,” Messier said as he manned a booth selling strawberries and other produce at a downtown Portland farmers’ market. “For me, it seems to illustrate the glaring divides that we have. What we come together for is very superficial. How much does going and seeing fireworks really bring people together?”
New citizens participate in a naturalization ceremony, Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at the New York Public Library. Two hundred people from 50 countries gained citizenship. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email
Watchdog: US Forced Deported Parents to Leave Kids Behind
California’s Bill for Fighting Trump in Court? $41 Million So Far
Trump Administration Sets 1st of 5 Executions Before Biden Inauguration.
Rediscovering America: A Quiz for Independence Day
Trump Plans Huge July 4 Fireworks Show Despite DC's Concerns
Social Distancing In a Fireworks Stand? That’s What Fresno County Wants