The Monsoon season finally arrived; not in time to extinguish two of the worst fires in Arizona history, but at least proving that weather patterns are still reasonably reliable. It’s a little late, but by golly it finally showed up. Now, for a while, we can complain about the humidity.
Yesterday was the Fourth of July. Normally that would mean outdoor grilling, cold beer and a big fireworks display at the lake in Green Valley Park. I missed two out of three of those events, but as it turned out, I was blessed. I experienced something of an epiphany.
Thunderstorms were threatening, so we stayed home. Television promised a great concert and fireworks at the nation’s capitol, plus additional excitement from Boston and New York.
We opened windows to allow in a cool breeze and brought hamburgers and all the trimmings to trays at the sofa. The refrigerator was within an easy march. I’ve seen these great events before. I sort of knew what to expect, so I settled in comfortably.
But –
Not to sound overly dramatic or emotional about it, I simply was not at all prepared for what came next and continued throughout the evening.
What it means to be an American blossomed fully within my brain and psyche as if released from its congealed home for the very first time. I was aware in vivid detail, of the charmed existence within which I, through some inconceivable celestial lottery, was allowed to participate.
Oh, my God! There it was- in all its three-dimensional, Technicolor, writing-on-the wall,”How do you do?” brilliance and simplicity. An American - what that actually bestows upon an individual. The culmination of history’s highest and best hopes, and here I am right in the middle of it. Name your best scenario within what passes for possibility. When and where in the advent of all time did the stars align so perfectly? Carefully examine every society on planet earth and nominate any one which is within a country mile of offering the openness, the possibilities, opportunities, and the guarantee of safety, freedom and fair treatment – and on, and on - that is available within The United States of America - warts and all.
There have been life-threatening episodes, to be sure. More than a few times the question of whether this bold experiment would endure or sputter to a whimpering close was only narrowly answered in the affirmative. It has hung by a thread over the abyss of civil war, economic wipeout, self-doubt and political turmoil.
Even on its best days, there are millions of hungry children living in gang-controlled ghettos. Hundreds of thousands live on or under its streets, barely existing. A shamefully large percentage of these homeless, tempest-tossed are U.S. Military veterans.
Prejudice, bigotry, malice and pure evil are present and heard from on a daily basis. All boil in the same cauldron with honor, dignity, concern and optimism, rising to the surface like bits and pieces in soup. It isn’t perfect, and it frequently isn’t pretty, but when it is right it is breath-takingly satisfying.
This is the constant battle – to insure that it is as right as it can be.
Being an American could easily be enough. Sub-titles which identify places of origin or
places of dwelling or religious or political ideologies or whatever else an individual deems important are merely close seconds. Whatever identity you give yourself, imagine embracing it in another country. It just doesn’t work as well.
There is always an ebb and flow to the understanding of and appreciation for being an American by many of its very own citizens, however. There are those who seek to interpret the miracle of America along extremely myopic and selfish lines. With damning cynicism and a crass appeal to small-mindedness, this juggernaut thrives on vulnerable periods of history like bark beetles in a drought. Theirs is a reincarnation of “Southern-Speak” prior to the Civil War – the chest-beating, blind, minimization of comprehensive, inclusive, advancement of the American Dream. Logic, compassion, even reality, is trumped by hubris.
Like the bark beetle, this menace has recently been given recognition simply through an increase in numbers. There is no requirement for cognition, conceptualization or contribution. As a matter of fact, the usual requirements of reason, inclusiveness, high-mindedness and statesmanship appear to be completely ignored, or at least not highly regarded. These attributes are seen as old-fashioned and inconsequential.
Recently, an un-heard-of event took place where the “leaders” of this group walked out on a meeting with The Vice-President of the United States in a twit, because they couldn’t get their way on an agenda. Later, they had the gall to accuse The President of the United States of being unwilling to negotiate on the same agenda. This group of modern-day plantation owners is totally willing to destroy the United States of America unless they get their way on a very contentious issue. The 1860 Civil War will seem like a cakewalk if these “brats” are allowed to dictate America’s future. Like their Secessionist forebears, their notion of getting their way is far more dangerous than they comprehend, but they refuse to risk being upset by reality. They offer nothing but negative possibilities and a refusal to see beyond the ship to the shore.
In a study of ancestry, I recently discovered that I have robust Scotch-Irish blood coursing through my veins. I proudly and absolutely embrace this connection. Nevertheless, I am first and foremost an American – honored and delighted to be so.
What I realized this weekend is that there is a group here in this country, which primarily wishes to be known by their political party name. Their political party comes first, and will be defended even in the face of calamity. They are the suicide bombers in America’s political fight.
Nothing less than the survival of America as the “last, best hope” is at stake at this time. Either the present society confirms and protects this eternal notion, or there is a true danger of a diminished America squealing in a darkened future for recognition as a once mighty leader.
Listening to returning military heroes, who are proud to be known as Americans,
watching as small town Americans celebrate their proud heritage in parades and other ceremonies, understanding the undeniable envy of people around the world as an American passport is presented, just the “down-home” knowledge that among all the world’s citizens, being an American is something special, and embracing that great special gift - this is the great epiphany I had this weekend. The honor to be an American is to be cherished and appreciated above all other titles in today’s world. Lee Greenwood had it right, and it means more to me than ever.
I pray that to a majority of its citizens it will mean far more to be an American than to be a political winner in 2011.
1 comment:
Shut up B*tch!
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