Soapboxing – Land of the Free
As we celebrate Independence Day in the United States, many of us lose the true meaning of this day in the glitz and glamour of hot dogs, fireworks and days off of work. This day celebrates the birth of a free nation dedicated to protecting the civil liberties of its citizens and to the advancement of freedom and democracy. A nation that doesn’t turn its back on citizens but takes care of the vulnerable, the sick and the poor.
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Those words ring true for many Americans, past and present, whom have felt the protection of this great land. Yet right now, this great nation fails to protect many of its citizens. Our poor is still very poor and without ample resources to help them find housing and jobs. Our children, many raised in such poverty, are uninsured and unable to receive the proper medical attention needed to help them thrive. Our disabled and mentally-ill are struggling in underfunded social service agencies across this nation (side-note: if you’re in Illinois you are painfully aware of how devastating the lack of funding for these services can be).
Women in this country are still competing for employment equality and in many areas do not make an equivalent salary. We are 40 years past the civil rights movement, yet our schools and neighborhoods are still segregated in many areas of the country. This has led to an imbalance within the school system causing minorities to be put at an unfair disadvantage with regards to college and careers.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans-gender individuals are still brutally beaten, harassed and murdered on the streets of this free nation. These citizens lose jobs, housing and even the ability to serve their country because of their sexual or gender identity. These citizens have trouble protecting their families under legal systems that fail them daily (in most states). This great nation still treats the GLBT community as second-class citizens when it comes to basic civil liberties.
The tone of this blog may be seen by many as pessimistic and unhappy. I get it; why ruin a perfectly fun holiday by talking about how much we fail? The point is, a nation that is truly free offers that freedom to not just some of its citizens, but all of them. I wouldn’t be able to write this blog entry in many countries and would probably be arrested if I did. I understand and appreciate that. I am thankful for all that I have. We are a nation of progress and I truly love this country.
I love it so much, I want it to be better.
