Independence Day, commonly known on July 4th, is a federal holiday commemorating the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776, and establishes the United States of America. Representatives of the Second Continental Congress declared that the 13 colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the British monarch George III, but now united, free and independent states. The Congress voted to recognize independence by passing Lee’s resolution on July 2, and two days later adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4.
Today, we have felons who want to be king in the White House and don’t know what the Declaration of Independence means. Every day we see more erosion, despite our nation’s many years of fighting. We started with a country run by white men where slavery was accepted and women were not included in our constitution or allowed to vote. We’ve come far and next year will celebrate 250 years. Slowly, but certainly, we moved forward. That’s when the nation elected a felon who was currently sitting in an oval office until November 5th, 2024.
Some say they didn’t know what he would do when they voted for him. They were fooled, those who either believed his lies or were not wise enough to read the blueprints that laid out what he would do. It should not be surprising what he does to the country and the world. Last Friday, his Supreme Court, and yes, it was the three people he confirmed in his first term, and gave him permission to become the king he wanted. Kings like our Declaration of Independence said we are abandoning them. A man who can ruin thousands of lives with pen strokes and change America’s future path. A man who retreated our country for decades in just a few months.
So I understand why many people suggest that there is nothing to celebrate this 4th July. When many are sidelined and hurt by felonies and his Magashiko fans in Congress and in the Supreme Court, how are there parties and fireworks celebrating the 249th year of our independence? Yes, there are people who celebrate everything he does. People who want to pretend to be trans people don’t exist and risk their lives. People think it’s okay to take away the rights of women to control her body and her healthcare. People who believe that parents can routinely interfere with their children’s schooling and can wipe out the presence of homosexuals. Those who pretended that there was a mandate in the last election only won about 1%. Anyone who thinks they’ll blame the veterans, fire them, and take care of their medical care is fine. People in the LGBTQ community are like Log Cabin Republicans who are thinking about supporting racists, sexists and homophobics.
So, what will we do this July 4th as decent caring people? What do we say to those who are hurt when we celebrate? What do you say to the trans people, women, and immigrants who have come here to escape their dictators? I tell them, don’t give up on America. Don’t give up on the possibility that decent loved ones in our country will finally wake up and say “good enough.” The majority of Americans remember that we fought the revolution to escape the king, and we fought the civil war to end slavery. We have moved forward, given women the right to vote, and granted the LGBTQ community the right to marriage. I don’t give up on those who did it all, I don’t think they’ll stand up again, and tell felonies, racists, homophobics and misogynists that he’s now responsible for sexual assault in the White House and his cult in Congress will reclaim our country in the mid-term elections of 2026. We vote a large number of times and demand freedom from the tyranny that he is foisting in our nation.
Yes, I celebrate this July 4th not what is happening in our country today, but rather what our country actually represents. Not for birthday parades or abandonment of Ukrainian heroes to support dictators like Putin. But for the sake of belief, decent people in our country stand up and vote. That’s what I celebrate and pray for this 4th of July. That’s what I think fireworks mean this July 4th. Just as our revolutionary soldiers don’t, and Civil War troops refuse to accept defeat until the Confederates are defeated.
I am celebrating this July 4th. Because we refuse to accept that we will not defeat those who destroy our beautiful country.
Peter Rosenstein A longtime LGBTQ rights and a Democratic activist.
Can the post celebrate July 4th this year? Washington Blade: First appeared in LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, and Gay News.
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