Comments
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA - I remember 1976 like it was yesterday— the nonstop celebration of the Bicentennial of the United States of America, on tv, in every community, every place of worship—200 years of the great vision, the democratic ideal, the Stars and Stripes forever. I was 14 and it seemed like EVERY AMERICAN was excited to participate in the fact that ALL of us were together in this seemingly unending party of being alive and recognizing that we did indeed live in a great country, with great promise, and leaders who, if we didn’t like them, would just be voted out and replaced with someone else who best reflected, and promised to fulfill, the desires of The People.
Now mind you I was a white teenager, living in a Houston Texas suburb, so my perspective was one of Joy, perhaps insulated from the challenges that many people faced. That said, I still remember that 1976 Bicentennial paraphernalia was EVERYWHERE—baseball caps, shirts, aprons, bikes, hair ribbons, plates, napkins, cups, you name it, 1776-1976, Spirit of ‘76, was on EVERYTHING. And I do remember celebrating with all of the students at Johnston Junior High, including the African American students who were bussed into our community from the inner city.
One of my funny expressions I remember that was indicative of the excitement of the times, was my Liberty Bell terrarium, that I created in a clear glass 2-piece bell, which was readily available at local plant nurseries and craft stores. The lid was the top of the bell, and the container was the lower part where I put dirt, moss, carefully placed plants, and finished it off with red, white, and blue aquarium gravel from the local fish store. On the outside, I cut out and glued meticulously drawn (with Flair felt tip markers) red, white, and blue “1776-1976” and the word “Bicentennial.”
It was quite the deal, I was very proud of it, plus I loved plants, creative expression, and the idea that everyone around me was so excited about the once in a lifetime Anniversary, and that people of all walks of Life were coming together, as Americans, to celebrate our country’s 200th Anniversary.
Fireworks were nonstop, and I remember being at one fireworks show with my friend Allan, who is Jewish, and we were excitedly sitting there in front of some younger girls (we were 14, they were 11 or 12) waiting for the show to start. We overheard the girls behind us gossiping about a classmate of theirs, “Well, you know she’s Jewish and she worships that Jewish God, Buddha…..” Allan and I looked at each other, roared with laughter, and turned around to look at the girls, who got quiet, having no idea why we were laughing at them. As an adult today, I wouldn’t hesitate to call them out on their stupidity, but we were 14 and just thought it was funny.
In hindsight, this experience illustrates the ignorance and prejudice (probably learned from bigoted parents) that was there in 1976, existed before 1976, and feels horribly reignited in America today—whether it be against Jews, Muslims, Atheists, Gays and Lesbians, Trans people, Immigrants, or the targeted Group du Jour.
Knowing that 50 years have gone by in the blink of an eye is scary enough, but what is scarier to me is where America is today. Not only are we (understandably) disrespected around the world, but our country could not be in more shambles, financially and morally, due to current lack of leadership, protection of known pedophiles, and the dismantling of the Constitution and the Judicial System. I will never understand HOW America has allowed this, or WHY America has allowed such obvious greed, blatant criminality, a violent attack on Democracy (January 6th), utter humiliation and degradation of women, and the marginalization and bullying of Americans who “differ” from a norm prescribed by a gluttonous, phony Alpha, draft-dodging, adjudicated rapist, and his complicit hired thugs.
Is there anything to celebrate? Perhaps. I do believe the glass is always half full. Do I feel like making a terrarium this year with 250 on it? Sadly, not at all. It behooves all of us to “read the room.” Are Americans collectively excited about 250? If you said yes, you have not really been paying attention. The divisive politics and bullying by the current White House has made a mockery of the East Wing, the Reflecting Pool, and the White House Lawn, complete with a racist rant towards Michelle Obama, unsurprisingly tolerated and endorsed by White Supremacists, Republicans, and the occupants of the White House. Conscious Americans are horrified, again.
There is more excitement for the World Cup than the 250th Anniversary of The United States of America. Why? The current America seeks to divide people, creating an unwelcome environment for foreigners, while the World Cup brings people and countries together, even in spite of ICE and stupidly strict, unorganized, floundering American Border agents detaining athletes and their staff, further embarrassing the United States on the World Stage.
What about The Stars and Stripes? Does the American flag currently represent Hope, Love, Freedom, Equality, Opportunity, and Inclusivity? No, it absolutely does not. Every time I see the flag and hear our National anthem, I actually cringe and get an immediate stomach ache. Believe me, I wish this wasn’t the case but our flag AND our country have been hijacked, right under our “can this really be happening?” noses—by grifters, opportunists, liars, pedophiles, an illegal hooker, and a stacked corrupt Supreme Court. Do I despise America? No, I LOVE America, and I want to see it heal, but I despise what is going on. I’m writing this piece to acknowledge where we are at 250, and to continue contributing to the idea that America CAN be an inclusive loving place, with marvelous health care, affordable education, sensible gun control, prosecution of those who break the law, and truly EQUAL rights for all.
Happy 2-5-0. I will be celebrating the Anniversary with friends and loved ones, but it will be different this time—no terrariums, no hats or t-shirts, and rather than celebrating what IS (which is heart wrenching), I will be celebrating WHAT COULD BE, WHAT SHOULD BE, and what hopefully WILL BE, with a focus on Hope, Love, Change, and Inclusivity, diving into deep discussion on how WE THE PEOPLE can hopefully bring America back from the brink of destruction with our VOTES to put an end to this current nightmare.
And in the Spirit of Resurgence, I’m envisioning a blueberry vodka or gin martini with red Luxardo cherries….quite the rallying cry, and I’ll also make a “mocktail version,” so everyone feels included.
(Wellness Expert Scott Cole loves what America could be, should be, and hopefully WILL BE. His work in the fitness and wellness world can be seen at Scott Cole.com)
