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Twelve score and nine years ago, a group of imperfect men brought a new nation as imperfect as themselves into the world.
It’s the Fourth of July (please excuse me for being poetic here and there). The United States has been a safe haven for the Jewish community; it wasn’t always so, but with everything in America, people worked to make it more perfect.
The work of America is never finished: that’s why the Constitution can be amended, and as it says in Pirkei Avot, “It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.”
Right now, it feels like there is an insurmountable amount of work to do. It’s Independence Day, a time to celebrate what America was, is, and can be.
Some American accomplishments I celebrate:
- Some of the things in Ken Burns’ Documentaries: Jazz, Baseball, Country music, the Brooklyn Bridge, The National Parks
- The hot dog in its mysterious, disgusting glory, and hot dog eating contests in their grotesque abundance
- The internet (created by taxpayer dollars) is now being used to destroy our democracy by private companies that don’t pay any taxes and knowingly spread propaganda and misinformation. But also cute cat and dog videos
- Monster Truck rallies
- Stand-up comedy
- The weekend, not the artist, the actual 40-hour work week, thanks to the work of labor activists
- Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, Prince, Wilco, and many other musicians, too numerous to list here
Even with all of this to celebrate, we are still plagued by problems. Democratic institutions are being attacked and degraded, due process is being violated, and antisemitism has reached record highs. Congress just passed a resolution bill that critics say will add trillions to the deficit and end Medicaid for millions of Americans.
There are many ways you can contribute to the work, and one doesn’t have to drop everything in your life to do it. Here are some of my favorite ways:
- Vote: it’s the simplest way to take part in the American experiment.
- Volunteer: Giving your time is one of the best ways to contribute
- Help register people to vote
- Help out a candidate or cause you believe in
- Food pantries, libraries, Boys and Girls Clubs
- Protest: Civil disobedience is one of the most powerful tools available to us as Americans. And when you do take an American flag, as the great Mark Twain said, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.”
- Call your reps, give ’em a what for, be a nuisance, the squeaky wheel gets the oil
- Educate yourself. Not sure about civics or a particular issue, there are loads of resources that can help!
- Vote in local elections. State reps, city council, school boards, judges. These are the people who are going to have a direct effect on your life (You should also annoy these people, too; they are public servants.)
- Run for Office: Look at the people in Congress… why not you?
- Be Kind to people
- Donate: Sometimes we don’t have enough time, there are plenty of great organizations and people doing the work—some of my favorites are:
This Fourth of July, gather with friends and or family, have a good time. Celebrate what America has been, is, and with hope, grit, and determination could be. Enjoy a hot dog, wear an American flag t-shirt, drink a Big Gulp, watch some fireworks, and recharge. Come Monday, it’s time to get back to work.
