America, Let Freedom Truly Ring

The 4th of July is upon us. As a country we celebrate gaining our independence from Great Britain in 1776. Our President is planning a (massive waste of taxpayers dollars) parade to celebrate that freedom.

239 years later, unfortunately only some of us are truly free. And as Jewish-American author, Emma Lazarus eloquently wrote:

“Until we are all free, we are none of us free.”

Emma Lazurus

The last time I checked the news:

Families are being torn apart and locked in cages under inhumane circumstances for trying to pursue said freedom.

Black men, women and children were still getting killed by those sworn to protect them.

Country music fans were UPSET that a young black rapper had taken their Billboard charts by storm and were trying to ban him.

CNN was still reporting articles about women making less than men for doing the same jobs.

Pride month just ended but our LGBTQ brothers and sisters are still largely ostracized by a generally homophobic society including their very own families and churches.

A supreme court justice accused of rape was nominated and confirmed.

And let us not forget that 17 women (so far) have accused the same President wanting such a grandiose showcase of “freedom” on July 4th of sexual misconduct.

People are proudly hating on those that don’t look like, act like, sound like or think like them.

Is this what freedom looks like?

This parade has nothing to do with freedom and everything to do with the need to demonstrate dominance and brute force. The antithesis of diplomacy.

In fact, if you look at the above mentioned narratives and the current climate in this country, the underlying theme of them all is a lack of diplomacy.

Why would America need to show off our armed forces with tanks and fighter jets? After all, the strongest guy in the room doesn’t have to tell everyone how strong he is. Everyone else just knows it. He doesn’t need to demoralize others in order to prove it.

The bible tells us in 1 Peter 2:16 not to use freedom as an excuse to do wrong.

Yet that’s exactly what is happening. Freedom has been used as an excuse to oppress. Which means that the oppressor isn’t even free themselves. You see, people who are secure in themselves don’t put others down. They lift them up.

No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.

Frederick Douglass

So on the 4th, I’ll be praying for our country. For those that deserve true freedom and for those intent on trying to take it.

May we all learn to live as those serving God.