As we come to July 4th, let us remember why we celebrate. We celebrate the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776, so that—
- We may attend events, walk in our neighborhoods, travel, shop, and be safe from all those with guns who think it’s their right to harm others.
- We may choose what to do with our own bodies without government or anyone telling us what is right for us and our lives.
- We do not have people yelling in our faces trying to get us to believe their religious beliefs.
- We have a government of those elected by the people who work for the majority of the people and not just for the ultra-wealthy and corporations.
- We may accept all lifestyles and stay out of our neighbors’ bedrooms and lives that do no harm to us.
- We may read the books we decide to read and allow the parents—not government—to decide what their children can read.
As we come to July 4th, let us remember we have a far-from perfect country, and let us come together to make life better for all beings. We cannot change history; we can work to improve the future for those who have been harmed. Let us—
- Come to know the needs of our indigenous communities and work to help meet those needs.
- Recognize, and accept, that all humans regardless of the color of our skin, our religious beliefs or non-beliefs, whether woman or man, our sexual orientation practices, all human, deserve to be treated with kindness, then treat all with compassion, empathy, and love.
- Respect and care for all life, all life, the animals, the planet and the space in which Earth and all life breathes.
- Learn what the people of your community, and the people of the world, need and work to help meet those needs.
There is much left unsaid here; there are more issues to be named. But as we come together with our friends and families, as we go to our picnics and fireworks celebrations, let us remember what we are celebrating. Let us remember the dream of all of us is to live in freedom, the freedom to breathe free, to live as we choose and believe what we choose without harm to others. Yes, let us remember why we celebrate July 4th.
Let us remember.