So many things I could say about how it doesn’t feel like a celebratory moment for America this year, but I won’t.
For one thing, we all go through our rough spots and perhaps the U.S. is just having a sullen teenage moment.
But for another thing, celebrating what’s wonderful and good helps us remember our current great fortune for living where we do rather than amid Ukraine’s explosions, or in Somalia’s famine. And our birthday party today can also be a reminder for what we continue to strive for, and what we’re moving towards.
America holds a promise still.
There have been many (many!) ups and downs in this short history of nationhood, but on balance, a more perfect union continues to emerge. There are threats to that progress today, and we must address them, but we can still salute the headway we have already made towards equality and freedom, even while we double down on our fights to retain and advance them further.
My one hope for us this year, is that we take a breath and remember who we are, because we are better than who we’ve been.
On that note, I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating this old/new nation.