Deer In Headlines II

By Gery Deer

Two hundred and forty-nine years ago, 56 delegates of the Second Continental Congress, after long sessions of debate, and at great risk to their own safety and freedom, made the decision to formally declare revolution against the English government. The official vote came on July 2, 1776, although the war began more than a year earlier. It was the birth of a new nation that would forever change the world.

Today, some view modern America as being at odds with its idealistic founding. But put aside your political divisiveness for the next couple of minutes and consider what it really means to be an American.

As Americans, I believe we’ve grown complacent and with little appreciation for the sacrifice and intent of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Ask the average American what America stands for and most might answer, “freedom.” Unfortunately, the freedoms and rights set up in the constitution have, since day one, been in constant jeopardy. And for some, they haven’t existed at all.

No, freedom wouldn’t be my answer to such an inquiry. If I were asked what our country is all about, my reply would be, “change.” In fact, I would go so far as to say, “beautifully flawed change.” Let me explain.

If you’re one of those who believes that the United States has always been star-spangled awesome (thank you Aaron Sorkin), I’m sorry to have to disappoint you. We’ve generally been anything but.

As a relative teenager in the family of the sovereign nations of the world, we are a mess. From the witch hunts of the 1600s, to one of the bloodiest civil wars in history, to the frightening Japanese internment camps of World War II, to a dozen other black marks on our report card, we have yet to fully live up to the ideals of our Founding Fathers. Moreover, we never will – it’s impossible.

Our republic is made up of and governed by people flawed, self—absorbed, arrogant, human beings. We have and will continue to screw up over and over again. Albethey terrible sometimes, all these foul ups are also necessary – provided we learn from our mistakes. Change invites… no, demands failure, and we’ve had our share. But without change, we become stagnant, with little or no advancement as a society or a nation.

Most people resist change, especially when neither the process nor results are to their benefit. But our constitution begins boldly with, “We the people,” not, “We, some of the people.” To be positively effective, to progress our nation to something better, change must benefit all, not just a select few. It should improve conditions for each and every citizen but also protect the visitors to our shores. Otherwise, change merely serves to divide our country rather than unite it.

With all our flaws, however, the country usually rights itself one way or another. The correction may be incomplete or imperfect, but we usually get back on track. Unfortunately, such adjustments sometimes result in pain for some, and prosperity for others, generally in staggering disproportion.

Neither a sense of being an American, nor a patriot, is about flags, slogans, or parades. To me, a good American is a good citizen, someone who acts from a sense of duty and compassion, rather than a need for power. Good Americans remember the intent of those who sacrificed much to give us the right to resist oppression and injustice, to be free to worship, or not, as we choose, and that the survival of our democracy is more important than any individual or political agenda.

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence reads, partly, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights…” “Men,” here refers to mankind and includes everyone – male, female, black, white, gay, straight, religious, or secular. Everyone.

What is America all about? It’s about the beautifully flawed change that allows for improvement, provided we always learn from the past and act in consideration of the future. Remember, our children’s, children’s, children will judge our generation accordingly. Have a safe and happy Independence Day.