Dear One,
Confused how to feel today? Do some research – there are issues with the Declaration of Independence and how today is celebrated. All of these days need background checks.
I love customs and traditions, and in order to not throw them completely out, I have to do my own work to discover the root of the happening. Yes I love THIS COUNTRY. I hesitate to call it, my country however. I am a citizen, but I am part of a broken system that has not been made whole.
Until the United States apologizes and acknowledges and makes amends with the original stewards of this land, how can we expect peace? We keep building on hidden bones expecting to get a different result. Relationships don’t work like that. If we don’t get what we have done wrong, we can’t really heal…(Australia and Canada are at least trying).
You have your view, mine is similar to THIS.
For many of us the apology begins in our own hearts. GETTING it that our ancestors were a part, knowing or unknowing, of the conquering and colonialism that is crushing still the people of this land. In your own space and heart, begin. And from here, activism that is informed by love can take root.
I am inviting you to just ponder it. To consider a new frame or include a new story at your 4th of July bbq. You might not be popular, but give it a try. Check out that line about the Native peoples of this land. Love the first part, and think it is quite relevant for what we need to do now.
Today we are indeed having a bbq with friends – AND exploring what it means to enjoy the freedoms we have. And not going to sleep on the realities. This story is being told today. Many of our friends are in full resistance to today’s festivities. I honor that too.
We are gathering with friends to talk and be together. But not the kind usually celebrated today, at least by us. Stories will be told. My ancestors on both sides came over 100+ years ago escaping poverty and desperation in their own lands. Seeking a better life for their children – not unlike the families now being captured at the border, they hoped for a better life and risked their life to find it. #returnthechildren
I am married to a Veteran. I look forward to his BBQ with mouth watering yummieness. I cherish many freedoms I enjoy here. I haven’t always known what I know now. Sometimes I want to go home, where my bloodlines are, but my people haven’t been there in over a hundred years. I would be a foreigner there too.
I feel the need to divest myself of the ENERGY of this particular Declaration of Independence that does not include women nor has it been updated, and shames the Native peoples. Why can’t we adjust these documents in alignment with where we are now or want to be. That first part, we could use however, as we face, in my view, such strange times in our governmental bodies.
I don’t mind you finding issue with what I am sharing here, I expect and welcome intelligent diversity. And pointing out what I am missing is welcome too. I don’t have the whole story of course.
I am not saying to think what I think – discover it for yourself.
I am however inviting everyone I know to wake up. Wake up. Wake up. Wake. Up. As I too am waking.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all PEOPLE 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. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among PEOPLE, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” – Declaration of Independence
Explorations:
Read the full Declaration HERE.
A good thing to be aware of as well is who are the Original Stewards of WHERE YOU LIVE. Just look up the history of your state, but don’t stop there, what Native Peoples specifically, what TRIBE lived where you live? Start there.
HERE is ours from California.
