Plague Journal, Independence Day
The 4th of July, Independence Day has arrived. Shortly I will join family members to view a parade, to participate in a traditional celebration of ourselves. “Celebrating ourselves”, as ridiculous as that sounds can be a productive, reflective, a good-will-engendering act of reverence that we are blessed with good fortune to enjoy the sunlight, to share the presence of other human beings.
On the other hand I am ambivalent regarding the over exposure of the American flag. I know. I know. I am an outlier to think that the flag can be flown too much. The flag is for many a symbol of colonial domination, of forcible removal of indigenous people from their homes, the Cherokee, then imposing a death march to Oklahoma,… There are many additional examples, in our beginning. The enslavement of Black people is another issue. The resultant war produced a least a half million casualties, and the South was wrecked. Despite what we’ve been lead to think by our textbooks, the slavery matter was not settled when Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House. People of color, and Blacks in particular even if formally full fledged citizens, — are nonetheless often treated as second class. All of this is an ugly picture, and that’s limited to policy and practice within these 50 states. Our activities abroad have mirrored those at home.
Given all of that, there’s still beauty and goodness to be appreciated, to be the occasion of a festival. Life is short. If one is fortunate, there’s time enough for coming together, to publish an invitation far and wide to everyone, — join us!
Welcome! Come to the party!
These photos were captured several days ago after a session of much needed rain.
4 thoughts on “Plague Journal, Independence Day”
I think you should fly it Jerry. And in particular, given our present cultural/political climate, you should fly it upside down, as a signal of the dire distress we face in our country this very moment and all moments to come until reason prevails.
Blessings
I would if I thought the gesture would cause anyone to take notice. Even those who would recognize the symbol are powerless to do anything at all to address the demise. I do not know anything about empires. However everything has an expiration. I seems to be our turn to leave the stage.
Thank you, Jerry, for sharing the variety of thoughts the flag brings to mind…hope it is OK if I share with the Driveway Discussions group on Sunday.
Gail, I am always honored when anyone reads and adds a comment to any of the posts. Of course it is Ok for you to share anything that I have said with your group.