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A 4th of July Reflection
On policy disasters and the possibility of hope
The 4th of July in America is an ostensibly happy time — a day off from work, parades, ice cream, cookouts, family. A chance to reflect on a nation founded 249 years ago.
Plus, fireworks.
This year, though, the feeling is a different one — though, really, how much different than in recent years?
Or, in years in the past when America was limping along, hardly making any progress toward aspirational ideals?
A reflection I read gave me pause — and also a bit of hope — a chance to think about both what is and what could be:
Disaster. Masked men amassed outside immigration courtrooms. Watching as legal immigrants walk inside clutching summons to appear, waiting until the judge revokes their legal status, and then sweeping them up as they exit in a daze. Disaster. Citizens gathering peacefully to protest what is happening to their neighbors, tear gassed and kettled, arrested. Detained by American soldiers. Disaster. The Supreme Court hands down a ruling, now there is no birthright citizenship in 28 states. We’re not so united when babies born in some states become citizens and babies delivered in other states are born without a country. Disaster. Under the ‘Everybody Dies’ budget bill congress just…
