Guest Post - Celebrating (Or Not) the Fourth of July by Dan Olson
Fireworks. Funnel cakes. Fairs, families, and freedom. The Fourth of July with all of its familiar trappings offers a welcome and comforting respite from the daily grind and the hot, humid summer days. Well, we can’t escape the heat, but at least we don’t have to work. Well, not all of us have the day off, but at least we can all join our fellow Americans and rejoice our good fortune to live in a nation that protects our freedoms.
Well…
With the recent ruling against reproductive rights delivered by a deeply divided and lopsided Supreme Court, there are many Americans who are unsure how to feel about celebrating the Fourth of July. On social media, memes abound with themes like: “America doesn’t deserve a party this year” or “Liberty & Justice For Some.” Jessica K., a pro-choice voter from California, is among a large swath of people who will be refraining from festivities. “It’s a little hard to feel patriotic at the moment,” she explained. Others shared similar sentiments. None felt all that free, let alone like waving a flag and lighting a sparkler.
The idea that their fellow Americans might not participate in Independence Day traditions in order to protest the Court’s decision has some worried for altogether different reasons. For them, the concern is such a boycott represents an unwelcome politicization of our nation’s birthday. They see protesting the Fourth of July as akin to NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem, both acts perceived as disrespectful and divisive. Even among people who are sympathetic to the pro-choice movement, there are some who regard events like the Fourth as being off-limits and politicallly neutral.
“We should celebrate our shared beliefs, understand that others have different ones, and be together in celebration of a country that tries dang hard to get it right,” said Mark S., a Florida resident who is also pro-choice. “We don’t always, for sure, but we definitely try.”
Is the act of protesting symbols of patriotism like the Fourth of July or the National Anthem an affirmation of our freedom or an affront? Is it disrespectful or does it make no sense to dictate how people protest? As with the abortion debate and our other great impasses, it seems that agreement will, for now, remain out of reach. In the end, whether others like it or not, we’re free to celebrate (or not) the Fourth of July however we see fit.