Tea Anyone!?

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     The truth is that on July 4th it is American Independence Day. This is a day where the nation celebrates it's freedom, where there are celebrations planned all over the nation. While in some regions celebrations were cancelled due to high water flooding in  Houston, Texas, or extreme heat. We can think about the important role of the weather, and how it impacts our lives, celebrations, and the aim to keep traditions alive. This thought came to my mind as I watched a young boy sing at the Macy's firework show. He was a boy of color. His performance made me think about how race or race affects how people celebrate, or if they even celebrate. 

     American Independence Day is a day where we celebrate the formation of a nation. We can think about other nations such as: Canada, India, or Pakistan, where nations have days set aside to celebrate their day of birth. But behind these days of celebration are much war torn stories. While a birth of a nation is celebrated, there are important reminders of sacrifices that were given by previous generations, as well as how nations have come to build peace relations, and alliances for the purposes of keeping peace. We can take the example of America, which was formed with the winning of war with Britain, that stemmed from The 1773 Tea Act. Today we can think of the two nations as allies, who are probably happy, to sit and enjoy some tea together. We can also think about France and Spains involvement in assisting the Americans win the revolutionary war. Where there are  good allies today, but also link past allies with the treatment people are receiving today. Such as the immigrants / migrants who are majority Spanish speaking, crossing the U.S. / Mexico border. 

     The tensions of the past are not specific to the nation of America alone. We can also think of examples such as India and Pakistan. While there were victories for independence, these were derived through bloody loss, separations of family, friends, and loved ones. What is unique to America is also the fact that former slaves enlisted in the army to assist America to win the war. Most enlisted as they were given the bargain of freedom. These thoughts took me back to the little boy who was singing at Macy's July 4th celebrations. While everyone has the right to celebrate or not, his presence made me think about the societal progressions that have been made. To this boy of color, or any radicalized child that is born or living in the U.S.A., America is their home. They have not seen anything else, or know anything different. Which is why Independence Day should no longer be visioned with the stereotypical images of a patriots celebration, it is a day significant for all, former enemies and allies as well. To know how much work it does take to re-build alliances, and to know that a nation is never created by a single person. It is created with effort, ruptures, sacrifices, from within a nation, and alliances. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on July 6th, 2018.
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