We celebrated our country’s freedom the first week of July, and here in Pensacola, we watched the Blue Angels' airshow.
Recently, the news has reported several people saying that celebrating the 4th of July is a bad idea due to the fact that our country exists on stolen land. Others went on to say that the holiday itself is a “white supremacist holiday.”
I respectfully disagree, but not entirely. The idea that we are living on stolen land is not wrong. It is pretty clear that the Native Americans lived here before us, all throughout North America. In many situations, we did steal it from them or force them to move through bloodshed. They fought our ancestors, and rightly so, for the land that they had been using. I say “using” because many viewed the land as something belonging to the Great Spirit or Creator and, hence, not something to be owned. But maybe that’s a moot point. Yes, we did force them off. In a few situations, we did live peacefully with them, but eventually, they either moved or joined our ranks. I’m a descendant of a Cherokee tribe who refused to go West in one of the saddest times in history, known as the Trail of Tears. My ancestors stayed, adapted, and married my Dutch ancestors.
So to that comment about the land being stolen. I’ll agree with you. You are not wrong. But I say, there is still a reason, a great reason, for me to celebrate.
My dear friends, who have come from Africa and Haiti as enslaved people, I ask you a question. Since we all have different ancestral backgrounds, what can any of us living now do about it? How can we learn from our past and go forward together? I believe that is what we should focus on. We can learn from the past. We can make every effort to avoid repeating the errors of our ancestors. But beyond that, we must live in the here and now. And with that, the focus is on us together. Let me explain.
Again, please understand - let us study and learn from history. But let’s not change it or demonize it. All our ancestors were human beings capable of greatness as well as great error. Recognize what good and what bad was done by them, AND GO ON. I also believe we should honor them for the good, especially those who have given so much to our country. Also, in viewing history, it is essential to take each situation given the times in which they were living. Example: During the time of the early colonies, slavery was commonplace in the world at large. We know now that it is a horrible practice, that human life is precious. But, at the time, they likely viewed it differently. I’m not sure why. Only God knows. Another thing that I think of often is that many who lived then worked actively to end the practice of slavery. Enter the abolitionists. Ah…so why not everyone? Why didn’t this catch on quickly? Greed?
I hate that my own ancestors were enslavers. Why? Why couldn’t they have noticed or read that others in the world were not keen on the idea? What was their problem? Yes, I hate this! But the bottom line is this - I cannot do anything about it. Those times are gone. It's history. Neither could my father, my grandfather, nor his father. I say that because they were all White French men some view as guilty. They were not guilty, not of racism. We are not guilty of the sins of our fathers. These were noble, good men.
But…But…the most critical point lies in what to do going forward.
None of us can do anything at all to change history, the history of our country, or our own personal history.
So what now?
We can and should honor our ancestors. But most importantly, we need to come together. We can and should acknowledge wrongs done. We must work for understanding, friendship, and commonalities, not divisions.
As far as acknowledging wrongs done, I have said to my friends, and will say publicly, that I do believe we, as white people, should say, “I’m sorry for your pain.” “I’m sorry that your ancestors likely experienced the horrors of slavery.” The thing is, even if it has been several generations back for our friends, I know it must have an effect on them, on you., my friend. Why? Because what happened to my own grandparents and their parents has filtered down to me! I remember stories from my childhood. I challenge you, my white friends, to think about this. If you had an enslaved great-grandparent, you’d have those stories handed down in your family! And that’s not to mention anything about all the years following, the Jim Crowe days, and even the Civil Rights marches of the 1960s. I remember those in my lifetime. I have a dear friend/family member who remembers being run down by the cops on horseback as a little girl in Selma, Alabama, during Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historical march. So yes, the past affects us!
But know this - The best thing we can do is come together. We are more alike than different. We are all members of the human race! I love this truth. We all love and want a full life. We love our children and want to contribute to life. God has blessed us, and He doesn’t see division. Oh Lord, may we have Your eyes and viewpoint. Let’s take each one another’s hands and go forward in friendship and understanding.
There's more work to do with all of us. And I'm praying we can all come together in greater understanding in the years to come.
In the meantime, I will continue to celebrate the 4th of July because I’m still in love with the USA, with all our flaws and all our glories. I celebrate my personal heroes like my Dad and my uncle, who fought to keep our freedom during WW2 when Hitler was trying to take over the world, killing Jews in concentration camps. I celebrate the 4th of July because my own brother fought in Vietnam while others
protested them by giving them the middle finger upon their return. I know that those men were courageous and loved their country, their family, and their God. This is no small thing, and I won’t stop celebrating them.
I celebrate the 4th of July because we are still free, even in 2023. I can still worship God how I choose to. I’m not arrested for being a Christian like other believers like me around the world in other countries. I still have the freedom of speech and the freedom to write words like these. These are the freedoms all of us still have and should cherish.
So, go in peace, my friend! Enjoy our freedom!
Comments