So this weekend was just about the most patriotic that most Americans ever get. It's great to live in a country where the citizens celebrate the day we declared our independence with the most American themed things we can think of - BBQs, burgers, coleslaw, and apple pie! While I love the pride and patriotism I see on the 4th, I wish that we as Americans could be in a similar mindset every day of the year. I understand that sometimes it's really hard to love America all the time - we definitely have things we need to work on from our elected officials to destroying stereotypes to our school system - but there are so many things to love. I love our "don't-take-no-shit" attitude, our ability to express what we strongly believe in, our genuine want to help people, even if we don't always go about it in the best ways. And if you were on Tumblr at all during the 4th, you've definitely seen the extreme patriotism displayed on the website. Highlights are below (in conclusion, Colbert is the best human being):
It's relatively well-known that I love America and truly appreciate the opportunities this country has given me. I am very lucky to have been born in the USA and to have grown up here. Trying to remind myself why I love my country so much isn't too hard - great education, beautiful landscapes, big cities, phenomenal food (food that we put our own twist on) but there are plenty of things we still need to make up for. Not everyone in America has always been free.
For example: you have your classic slavery examples, but does anyone remember the end of the Chinese Exclusion Act in the early 1880s? How about the fact that women were not allowed to vote in this country until 1916? The end of legal segregation in 1952? Or more recently, outlawing the discrimination against Muslims in 2002? Yes, this country has been "free" since 1776, but not all its citizens. And this is still something we're working on - when are we going to make education accessible for all? Or pay men and women the same amount for the same work? There are so many ways in which citizens of the United States are not free, and while we are working our way there, total freedom isn't able to be celebrated yet.
On another note, according to Motovo Real Estate, I call the most patriotic state in the country home. It's rather interesting that ranked #1 was South Carolina, which was the first state to secede, and driving around home, I definitely see more Confederate flags than United States ones. But maybe it's the sincere sense of pride so common in being from the Southeastern US. Maybe it's because I'm there now?
So to sum it all up:
1. I love America (NOT 'Murica, the US of A, or the Best Goddam Country on the Planet)
7.. I'm proud to be an American (not just because of the Lee Greenwood song, which is now one of the most downloaded songs on iTunes this weekend)
7. We need to remember that while we are celebrating our freedom from being owned by another country, we are still not completely "free".
6. Keep the patriotism up all year long, not just during the 4th, the World Cup, and the Olympics!
^see what I did there with the numbers?
And enjoy this awesome GoPro video of inside fireworks!
Happy Freedom Everyone! Go out and rock your best America gear and celebrate your freedom every day of the year!
Kim
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