Summer is here and the United States is poised for its official "independence day" celebration. Our nation is still somewhat divided across various ideological fractures and factions; but, many of us still join together to say we love our country and for the most part our fellow citizens--as most of you, my international readers love yours. Sometimes, we just have an odd way of showing it. And although San Diego and neighboring cities of California are often quiet and laid back when it comes to overt political expression, it's been kinda "hot in here" over the last few years.
Whether conservative, or liberal, or non-declared, or whatever, the more reasonable and vocal of us yell at each other a lot, hold town hall meetings, create panel discussions, write frustrated editorials with scathing language, tweet furiously or actually physically picket, sit in, or boycott.
Local Southeast San Diego Student walk out 2017
Protest is usually our way of asking others with whom we disagree to just listen to our side for a minute. It's almost an American tradition starting with the Boston Tea Party and well, the Fourth of July signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Actually, according to Elizabeth Harrison at History Stories
"On July 1, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, and on the following day 12 of the 13 colonies voted in favor of Richard Henry Lee’s motion for independence. The delegates then spent the next two days debating and revising the language of a statement drafted by Thomas Jefferson. On July 4, Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, and as a result the date is celebrated as Independence Day."
https://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-declaration-of-independence
So, we protest. We debate. We write declarations and manifestos.
When we join together as a nation . . .that's what makes us strong beyond our differences of how to run the country. Maybe I'm too optimistic. I hope we have the courage and integrity to engage in productive problem solving dialogue, no matter how much we disagree.Yea, I know. Sometimes it works and we can compromise. Sometimes, it doesn't work and life seems to fall apart for way too many. But discussion is worth a try.
I said it several years ago in a Youtube op-ed:
It's ironic. At that time I was one of very few African American San Diego based bloggers. Shortly after making this video, sitting under the same gazebo, I was harassed by nearby security guards who had been watching me, wondering what I was doing. Profiling and censorship existed in 2011.
I am very much aware that today, real time profiling is rampant. And social media? Trolling, general bullying, and comment shaming is synonymous with censorship. What are we doing? Social media could become another space for positive dialogue if all sides really wanted to create healthy solutions. Yea, I know what I just implied.
Anyway, here's a flashback video opinion. I continue to hope we Americans work diligently to positively engage each other as a way to create viable solutions for our present issues. We need to dialogue people.
Happy July 4th America,
Delores Fisher
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