Our Declaration

Never has the lead up to July 4th celebrations seemed so fraught, the dichotomy so distinct. America 250 or Freedom 250? All about a rich and diverse America or all about Trump?  I am struck by two divergent moments.   Air Force Major Jason Watson in uniform, standing resolutely on the Capitol steps, reciting his military oath of office, “...I will support and defend the  Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…” while holding a sign reading simply, ‘Impeach. Convict. Remove.” Poignantly, peacefully, patiently, protesting this president and his administration. Speaking truth to power. He was arrested in minutes. 

Juxtapose that with the Patriot Front’s flash demonstration. Masked white men suddenly appearing out of nowhere, carrying the Confederate flag, chanting “Reclaim America,”  spouting a white supremacist message and quickly dispersing.  This is the Patriot Front’s modus operandi, showing up unannounced to promote their vile, threatening rhetoric, sowing fear and consternation while limiting the risk of individual exposure, arrest and public backlash.  Masked. Frightening. Poof! No police response at all.  

One a profile in courage.  The other in cowardice.  One affirms, the other leaves us sick at heart. Let us take comfort in Major Watson’s words,  “If just a nobody like me can take a stand for our Constitution and our democratic republic, then you can too.”  We can, we must. That is our declaration for this Independence Day.