Where Allegiences Lay

Like many others this July, i have spent time pondering the observation of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  It is during times like these that national pride and nationalism experience an increase as more people actively have the topic on their minds.

I, myself, try not to be one of the exaggerated, almost cartoonish types who take nationalism to comic extents.   As a matter of fact, Independence day is a rather somber time for me because I think of the independence of America in both a positive and negative light.

While the war fought by the European settlers did lead toward the Constitution which is perhaps the greatest treasure of this country, it also ushered in a period of disaster and destruction of the lives, lifestyles, languages and cultures of many , if not most, of the not- European peoples who were either already here or soon made their way here in hopes of sharing what the Constitution offers.

How disheartening to hear the words that America is a place where all men are created equal, oh but we don't consider you a man, sorry.

It was perhaps only natural that the new Americans/former English colonists would create a new place to make free people of themselves only so they could perpetuate the same snobbish, racist, inhumane treatment of others that they themselves wanted to escape.

Despite that, people from other places, cultures and religions not only kept coming, but stayed and whether suffering silently or speaking out and standing up in public, they fought to partake in those same rights , freedoms and opportunities the U.S. Constitution promises to all individuals.

The Declaration of independence and consequently, the U.S. Constitution, were brilliantly done.  We can see that the founding documents are made of the same stuff that hard won dreams are made of.  They are more than just laws an rights, they are goals and objectives.  They are what those authors and signers believed the people of America "could"be.

They were written using language that indicates that people are expected to rise to the words.  Those documents were written to inspire and give a foundation so that people could be better people and to realize their individual potential.

So while the founding of this country has much to be proud of, it also has much to keep in mind that our freedom, our rights, our independence must be earned and won every day, by everyone.  We cannot sit idly by to let only a few reap the benefits of the rewards that so many have struggled, fought and died for since it's difficult and bloody beginnings.

Keep in mind, this independence day that when one American is not free, does not have liberty, that none of us truly has them.  When they are denied to any one of us, they can be denied to every one of us.