The face of freedom on Independence Day!
On July 2, 1776, delegates representing the thirteen colonies voted to adopt the resolution for their independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence written by future President Thomas Jefferson would then be ratified two days later on July 4th. Over the next few months, each delegate would add his signature to this resolution which in essence represented treason in the eyes of the crown. Imagine the courage involved during this very important time. Had these delegates not taken the stand they did and risked everything, we would not have the United States of America we have come to know. The action taken by the delegates is the face of freedom.
Several years ago, I made a commitment to read a biography on every president. Little did I know just what was involved. While there are often several biographies on each president, the one thing they have in common is their length. Many are close to 800 pages. Multiply that times 45 and you can see the challenge I am facing. Instead of starting at the beginning, I started with “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. This was a good choice. A riveting book that laid out the life and times of our 16th president, I would be pulled back in time to the life of Lincoln. Since then, I have went back to the beginning and have been working my way forward. It is of course in those early days that you find how our country was formed, fought for and led to our current constitution. Lincoln was the face of freedom.
My family on both sides, has been here for many generations. On my mom’s side, Jacob Zurlinden left his homeland of Switzerland to go to the Port of Le Havre, France in 1851. From there he would board the ship H Denis of New York and head to the States. A young man of 27, he was joined by many on this ship. Including Anna Barbara and her eight children. They would arrive in New York on July 28 after a journey of several months. Imagine making this trip with eight children. These were not first class accommodations. There was no Statue of Liberty to greet them at that time as it would not arrive until 1886. This is the face of freedom.
I am grateful they made the trip for whatever reason and for however long it took them. They would change their name when they arrived to sound more American. This was common practice for those arriving from other countries at that time. From that time going forward, their last name would be Linden. I love genealogy. I’m always surprised when people tell me they have no interest in knowing about their family or how they got here. When they ask why I love it so much, my explanation is short and sweet. It matters that they were here. Without them, I would not be here. If Jacob and Anna had not endured and made this trip across the ocean, I would not be here. If Israel H. Van Baalen had not left Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, I would not be here. It matters they were here. It matters what they did. This is the face of freedom.
In my exploration of genealogy over these last several years, I have run across many interesting stories. Reading old newspapers doesn’t just give you information about your own family. It gives you a glimpse into history and what was going on at the time. I ran across one of these stories that really stuck with me. My mother’s family was settled into Fulton County, Indiana during 1918 which was not just the year my grandmother was born, but also the end of WW I. The city planned a big celebration for the returning doughboys. This celebration would include a parade in their honor and the organizers went all out. As is typical even today, parade participants are lined up and told where they will be so as to avoid confusion. As the returning servicemen went to find their place in the parade line, it became apparent that the parade organizers had made a grave error. These returning war heroes had been placed in line next to the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan was a very active group not just in Fulton County, but in all of Indiana at that time. I regret to say, they still have active chapters in the state. While the article I read does not say, I would think based on history that the Klan was dressed in full garb for the parade.
The servicemen, our beloved war heroes stepped out of line and refused to participate in the parade if they had to be next to the Klan. No doubt this to the horror of the parade organizers. The parade was in honor of the servicemen. The Klan was powerful and likely a frightening group for some. While details are limited, what I do know from the article is that the organizers approached the Klan and had them step out. They explained that the parade would not happen without the men who had just returned from war. Whether they were relocated to another part of the parade I do not know. But, I do know that the servicemen resumed their position in the parade and were honored by their community as they should have been. Once again, just as in 1776, those who were willing to stand against adversity and speak for what was right showed real courage. This is the face of freedom.
As we celebrate our 242nd year of Independence, we are facing many challenges. Some that threaten our Independence. All with some level of adversity. And, certainly everyone with “their truth” about each situation which unfortunately these days is contributing to a great divide in our country.
While there was much discussion and debate among the delegates in the beginning, it was their common ground that united them and brought them together….that gave us our Independence…. our freedom. with the help of social media, the whole world is watching us in real time. From the outside, we look fragmented and are fighting amongst ourselves. We are our own worst enemies. At times, we resemble a modern day civil war of words as we disintegrate into chaos, leaving behind all things civil. I always find it ironic that they called it “civil war”. There is nothing civil about war.
Let us find our common ground and remember what first brought us together. We can continue to be diverse in our ideas and thoughts. We can challenge each other without attacking and diminishing each other’s opinions. Like many of you I am concerned about outside threats such as the unpredictability of North Korea and Russia, trade wars with our allies and the many unsettled policy issues. But, I think our greatest threat comes from within. The fact we are fighting with each other is no small thing. Social media has given people a false courage where they attack friend and stranger alike. Name calling is ridiculous and beneath us. It shows a lack of maturity and tolerance. People don’t fact check what they read or hear. Instead, they share information with lightning speed, especially when it supports their opinion and is “their personal truth”. This rapid spread of unchecked articles from questionable or partisan sources just increases an already great divide. For me, as I watch the partisan attacks and name calling, it has reminded me of my choice years ago to be non partisan. Disgusted by the behavior of both major political parties and the leadership of both parties, I refuse to associate with either. Their inability to provide any clear, positive leadership or any leadership for that matter has trickled down and is in large part responsible for the behavior among our citizens. For me, the behavior of our leaders is NOT the face of freedom.
If you truly believe in what the 4th of July represents, then take this day as an opportunity. Make this a time to mend fences and assess your own attitudes about what lies before us as individuals and as a nation. Freedom isn’t about fireworks. Freedom isn’t about whether we stand or kneel for the national anthem. Freedom isn’t about partisan politics. Freedom which is synonymous with independence is” the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint”. The definition itself encourages respect and the right for everyone to have an equal opinion. No where does it say we have to agree. No where does it say if you don’t agree that makes the other person wrong. Yes, speak your opinion. Respect another person’s right to speak theirs.
Happy 4th of July. Be safe, be tolerant and enjoy your Independence!
This is just One Woman’s Opinion!
Blessings,
Tammy