One Minister's Musing - The Tension of Celebration

The Fourth of July was last week and with it brought fireworks, picnics, parades, and celebrations. I always enjoy each of these - especially the fireworks as they burst into color and rain down light.

Yet, there has always been an internal tension - knowing that these fireworks that bring me joy are based in the substance of ammunition. Even though my cats and dog shake and head under the bed at the first burst of sound, I still enjoy them. Even though I know and love ones whose emotions and even trauma are activated at their sight and sound - I still enjoy fireworks.

Recently, the internal tension has begun to come into focus, if I am to appreciate the fireworks, I need to, I must, recognize their impact, symbolization, and effect. Somehow I must find deeper meaning in these bursts of light hold both the pain and fear it causes and the joy it brings. This is not an easy thing.

This is also true for the celebration of the founding of our country. My forefathers and mothers came to this land which was stolen from others, either through deceptive treaties or outright theft. Though the land is owned now and we have legal rights and responsibilities for it - the land is not only ours - it is land that is ancestral home indigenous people.

The freedom that is celebrated on July 4th did not extend to those kidnapped and enslaved, nor to their ancestors on the day of the Declaration of Independence and the words "All men are created equal" were penned.

Does this mean I need to stop celebrating the Fourth of July and go into mourning? For some this is an option, for others it is anathema. For me the celebration of the independence of our country must be tempered with history so that we may live into its hopes and promises.

To temper something is to make it stronger, to enable it to withstand. To recognize, honor, and grieve the horror that came with the building of our nation does not weaken us, but makes us stronger. When we know our past, struggle with it, and come to the realization that though we cannot change the past we CAN change ourselves and the systems within which we live.

Our country must be tempered, must be made stronger by knowing our past so that we can choose our future. There are many choices out there, some which are calling us to forget in the name of being comfortable, others hiding behind a sanitized history that can only make us more susceptible to weakness.

I and others choose to recognize, honor, learn, remember, and act. Though I cannot change the actions of my ancestors nor deny the benefits society provides me, I can choose to change the country so that we may all be free, all may have justice, all may be truly seen as equal.

Patriotism is not hiding or scattering in fear. Patriotism is creating a world where resources are abundant and justice is overflowing.