Protest is Patriotic

The Fourth is about more than fireworks

I’ve always considered myself a patriotic person, someone who loved this country, not right or wrong but in believing that we could always keep striving towards the founding ideals of freedom, justice, and equality. I have been conscientious about voting and fulfilling my obligations for jury service (including when I had to put in two months of grand jury duty). I displayed the flag on the Fourth of July and put my hand over my heart when the national anthem was played.

When we returned to the U.S. in 2011 after four years in France, one of our first outings as a family was to the Palisades Fourth of July parade along MacArthur Boulevard. My kids loved catching the candy along the parade route and I thoroughly enjoyed its hometown quality: kids on decorated bikes, the homemade floats of the swim team and the public library branch, Boy Scouts carrying the colors, politicians walking and waving, and whatever random assortment of community groups who chose to join. It all resonated deeply about all the things I loved about America at a time when I was also sad that our international adventure was over. In short, it was a lovely welcome home.

I took this photo 15 years ago and it’s crazy to think that some of those kids might now have kids of their own.

But this year when I should be enjoying the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, I am feeling at best apathetic about the whole patriotism thing. The official events are all tacky and Trump-centric, and the celebration is all chest thumping and devoid of any sentiment that honors the best of America. I’d thought about getting out of town next weekend, but life caught up with me before I made any plans so I’ll just be sticking close to home and doing my own thing.

When I was a kid, my dad was very strict about putting bumper stickers on the family cars: no school or team stickers, no silly sayings, and no election stickers except for the one time when my mom’s close friend ran for school board. The only other exception he made was for a sticker that read “Peace is Patriotic.” This was during the Vietnam War so the message wasn’t subtle. But it was one that stuck with me.

But what does a sticker change? Probably not much, but all the same I enjoy seeing the little signs of protest on light poles, mail boxes, and street signs. Even when the skies are falling, we can and must exercise our First Amendment rights. And that is patriotism, even more than waving the flag, singing “God Bless America”, or shooting off fireworks.

Happy Fourth America and don’t give up hope.