Fighting for Change in America is True Patriotism

I love the fourth of July. It is my favorite holiday. There is something about the camaraderie, the lack of pressure, the sheer enjoyment of blowing things up into pretty, sparkling colors, that has always made it an amazing day for me. It’s about family and fun and the height of summer, but it’s about a lot more than that, too.

It’s a uniquely American holiday, where we come together to celebrate patriotism and rejoice in being American. To be honest, that idea hasn’t been the easiest for me in the last few years. I came to social consciousness at a time when we are looking hard and examining what is and has been going wrong in this country.

So I felt a bit strange about celebrating the fourth. There are a lot of things we need to be working on — yet, it felt almost like cognitive dissonance to feel patriotic. But I have come to the conclusion that this is exactly the time to be patriotic, because we need to more than ever solidify the rights we are guaranteed. We need to remind ourselves and everyone that a fundamental part of America, written into the very fabric of our country, is the questioning of those in power. We were made by those who threw off oppression, and to call ourselves Americans, we must continue to do that.

It is patriotic to protest. It is patriotic to call for change, to lobby, to participate in democracy and civil disobedience. It is patriotic to pledge the flag and shoot off fireworks, to spend time with our families. It is patriotic to work for America, to try to make it a better place for all.

There are many times I am not proud of America. What I am incredibly proud of is that I can say that. I am proud of the people who are standing up, fighting for a better version of America. There is nothing more American than that. So I celebrate Independence Day for my fellow Americans who are fighting for justice, who are struggling against oppression, for all of us who have hope that we can make tomorrow better than today.