On 250, where we have been, and Whitman

I was ten years old in 1976. The country was alight with Bicentennial Fervor; the quarters were minted with the dates, the dividing line on streets were painted with patriotic colors, school kids were given little plastic bags with a hole to hang them in the car that proclaimed "Keep America Beautiful!"-- it seemed we all had something to celebrate. And we wanted to. The country had just gone through the murky mess that Watergate brought, a president had resigned in disgrace, the Vietnam War had come to a brutal and difficult ending, and the country needed to heal. It had not even been a decade since the violence of 1968 with the riots and assassinations. We needed desperately to move forward, and we did, in so many ways. I sat on a grassy expanse of lawn behind one of the storied mansions in Newport and watched the Tall Ships come into harbor. It was breathtaking, exciting, and historic. 

In the ensuing 50 years, a lot has happened; much good has been accomplished and much that is heartbreaking as well. The celebrations this time around feel really hollow and performative. Instead of pulling together after so much pain, we are mired in it. And there is more to come, if we are to take any of the negative, hurtful, frightening speeches at even face value. 

We are, and can be, a joyful and resilient people. And on the local level, I believe we are. We help each other in times of trouble, we feed families, we rally to help neighbors who have suffered losses. We visit the sick, we take care of kids, we keep an eye on each other's pets. At the local level, Americans are good people. We are the apple pie and baseball people. We just need to remind ourselves of that, and not let anyone take that identity away. 

I won't be here for the next 50 year celebration, and it's not even guaranteed I'll be here for 275. I'm sad and angry about where we are right now, but I will cling to the hope that we will be able to see it as a country. 

Sobering thoughts, to be sure. I'll close today with a quote from Walt Whitman, the quintessential American poet who wrote during another critical time in the history of this country:

The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or colleges, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in the common people.

My friends, we have work to do. Take today to collect thoughts, to spend with those you love and enjoy the day. Tomorrow, let's begin again.

C