Reading: An article about the closing of Landolfi's Bakery.

Watching: 1776, a movie I watch every July 4.

Patriotism

When I was growing up, Fourth of July was one of my favorite holidays in the year. Each Fourth of July was much like every other. In the morning my sisters and I would watch the parade that marched down our town's main street. In the afternoon my family would host a cookout at our house attended by Nana and many of our other relatives. As darkness fell, we'd toast marshmallows and light sparklers; sometimes Dad would shoot off firecrackers for our amusement.

But beyond the ritual events, Fourth of July touched a deep and abiding patriotism in the core of my soul. I pledged allegiance to the flag and I sang all the patriotic songs with fervor, truly believing that I was privileged to live in the best country on earth.

And then I grew up. And studied history, and read the newspapers, and discovered the dark underbelly of the American experience: a shameful legacy of racism and expansionism that still reverberates today. In fact, one of the weekend's top news stories is the manhunt for the white supremacist in the Midwest who has been shooting blacks, Jews, and Asians.

Today being the 223rd birthday of our nation, I wanted to write something about the United States of America and what it means to me, but I find myself stymied by all my feelings about my country, good and bad. I am the child who grew up and realized that her parent country has flaws and, like so many grown children, can't quite forgive her parent for not being perfect.

But today I will at least think of the good things I can say about the U.S.

I can say that the documents on which we base our country's philosophy--the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights--are masterful expressions of the human spirit and the human need to be free.

I can say that I appreciate American optimism, ingenuity, and idealism.

I can say that I'm glad that most Americans also recognize and deplore the evils of racism that is our history's most shameful legacy.

I can say that I am happy that our country still provides a refuge for people fleeing persecution and hardship. I am proud that so many people of the world still view the U.S. as a land of opportunity.

And I can state emphatically that there is no other country I'd rather live in.

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