A July 4 quandry
by Elouise
All day I’ve been wondering how to celebrate our nation. We have a system intent, it seems, on other-destruction and self-destruction. Though it’s most visible in the breakdown of our democratic ideals, it’s also visible in the way we treat strangers coming into our country. Is this the beginning of the end? Is there reason to hope? A few comments follow my poem.
Ignorance and Fear
clothed in swaggering Pride
peer down with Contempt
born of Lonely Bitterness
intent on Self-Destruction
And yet….“Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25)
Today is our annual National Pride day—the 4th of July. A grand celebration of the nation I love yet scarcely recognize not simply today, but in the history of our occupation of this land.
It’s easy to point to the behavior of certain officials in public office. In fact, they might be at or near the top of my list. Nonetheless, their behavior amplifies and builds on behaviors and attitudes already festering in our daily lives.
From the perspective of an ant on the ground (that would be me), it seems we’re doomed to more downhill behavior from all quarters. The sky is falling, isn’t it?
Yet the verse above comforts me. Chiefly because of my own ignorance and fear clothed in swaggering pride. I no longer fear the Judge of my worst imagination. Yes, my fear was fed by faces and behaviors of persons who judged me harshly—and taught me to judge myself harshly.
However, unlike them, the Judge of all the earth sees everything about me. That includes what was and was not done to or for me, along with what I’ve done or not done, and why.
Even more amazing, this Judge of all the earth invites me to come just as I am, without fear and without excuses. Why? Because this Judge is the Only One who understands me better than anyone, including myself.
The challenge is clear. I can’t count on this for myself without counting on it for others. The Judge of all the earth will do right for each of us. Not necessarily in my lifetime or yours, but at the right time and perhaps in unexpectedly gracious ways.
Here’s to a thoughtful and happy 4th of July!
Elouise
©Elouise Renich Fraser, 4 July 2019
Telling the Truth 
Here’s a piece out of my journal yesterday morning: Today, we are not the land of the free. We are the land of caged children, mothers, and fathers. We are the land of the highest numbers of people in prison, mostly disenfranchised people of color. We are the land of people locked in poverty, cycles of evictions, food deserts, and blight. I cannot celebrate this country.
In my rather depressed state, David reminded me of our free press and right to protest, etc. that many countries don’t have. There is hope. At the same time, I’m grateful that today I’m celebrating my mother-in-law’s 90 birthday instead of my nation. 🥳
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Natalie! Thank you so much for this piece from your journal. It’s powerful! Have a great time celebrating your mother-in-law tonight! 🙂
I just read an article in The Atlantic about us not being the land of the free. The author argues that power comes before freedom–which makes us (anyone not in the white male power elite) bearers of power, with or without being certified or treated as free (by those in power). It was thought-provoking and encouraging. Here’s a link, in case you’re interested: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/07/resistance-patriotism-fourth-july/593344/.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice article. It’s a similar argument to the need for justice before we can have peace. Systemic injustice and power dynamics in the hands of a few have to be resisted in order to have freedom and peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I shall never forget, and neither will any of my children the disgusting way we were treated by the US authorities at Logan International, We were hounded into an enclosure to be stared at by all and sundry, simply because one of our daughters, Emma, had the same name and birth year as someone on their watch list.
And they had guns !
You come into Sydney you won’t see a gun in the customs hall. you will see one if you run into a copper, they carry them,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Brian. Your comment is painful to read. Thanks for writing about it. I can’t even imagine…. Though right now I think I can imagine it–unfortunately. We do ourselves no favors. Thanks for the heads-up about Sydney. If I get there some day, I’ll be sure not to run into a copper!
LikeLike
They don’t draw their guns very often, seems they’re mostly for show and to deter those who think they’re tough guys.
They do pull them on the real crooks,
Come to think of it, we do have one policeman who likes to draw his gun, Nasty piece of work that he is, trouble is he stays within the law so that the police dept can’t get rid of him
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well…on the whole, I’d probably do better in a world without guns on the streets in anyone’s holster, pocket or hands. 😟
LikeLike