In honor of the 4th of July, we are not choosing to spotlight one person . . . instead we have chosen to spotlight all of us and the culture of the United States.
Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America. In the 248 years since the commemoration the United States has become a rich and diverse community in which cultures from around the world have gathered and can be celebrated as one.
When I was a child, I remembered being taught that the united States is a melting pot. The idea being that no matter where you are from we, melt together to be one. As I grew up and our knowledge of the culture of the US the concept then changed to the Salad Bowl. The salad bowl does not allow for us to melt together to become one. The salad bowl states that you can be your unique and authentic self while joining with the rest. The tomato remains a tomato, but the tomato can live happily next to the cucumber.
When we think of traditional American culture we think baseball, hot dogs and apple pie, but today we also think tacos, pupusas, bagels and fried rice. It doesn’t stop with the foods we eat . . . Americans celebrate lunar new year and Kwanzaa, watch NASCAR, soccer, and football. We line dance, celebrate Pride, enjoy hip-hop, and participate in Ramadan. Although this country was founded on the religious principles of Christianity, the US’s concept of religion and how we worship has grown to include Muslim, Bahai, Jewish, Catholicism, Mormon, Buddhist, Hindu, etc. Yes, the religions are different, but the cultural concept of fellowship and community is integral in all its forms.
The American culture is made up of all these things and a myriad of others, but let’s travel back in history to look at the one document that helped to forge the culture in which we live.
On July 4th, 1776 the founding fathers wrote the following:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” -Founding Fathers
Today, we continue to hold this document up as the foundation for our American culture. It was true then and it is true now . . . we are all created equally, and we all have rights to live free and be happy. It is with this in mind that we spotlight the American culture. We celebrate 248 years of independence, and we revel in the freedoms that this country provides. Make no mistake, we are far from perfect and there are a lot of things that this country needs to shift, change and alter, but we also recognize that there is still so much to be proud of.
The culture of the United States is ours. With all its beautiful diversity, this is the country that we have made together.
Happy 4th of July everyone!
-Judy Grant, Penny Lane Centers
The 4th of July is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks. As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, many of us plan to attend public fireworks displays. Here are some tips, check them out!
