Independence Day - Happy Birthday, America!

As a Nation, we are independent; we gained our independence from British rule, on this day, in 1776. But, through the years, We the People have lost sight of what independence truly means.

The definition of "independent" is...

not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself

We have been controlled or influenced by our own government, Hollywood, the media, and each other for over a century! And it's become so commonplace, most of you who read this will either be confused about this, or offended that I even said that. But, it's true; We the People have been groomed to think, feel, act etc by so many, we've lost the ability to think for ourselves.

That's why racism is so prevalent, these days. It's common; our country was built on racism! The Colonists stole the land from Indigenous people, killing hundreds of thousands along the way; possibly millions. And then they had Africans shipped to the "New World", to work their plantations. Their independence didn't mean anything to us!

Granted, there are Americans who are not racist (thank you!); but, throughout history, White America has treated people of color like second-class citizens. Even the people of color who ARE citizens don't get as many perks as White America. Why?? Because we've been taught that they don't deserve it...they're not like us. We've been conditioned to hate, or shy away from, everything that isn't what society considers "normal"....white, cis-gender, straight, employed, Christian.

From Feb 19, 1942 – Mar 20, 1946, the United States government held Japanese Americans in camps, much like we are now holding immigrants, at the US/Mexico border. While in these internment camps, the Japanese were treated like animals, simply because of their heritage; the government told us they didn't deserve to be treated like citizens, even though they were, because they looked like the enemy. They weren't the enemy; but we were conditioned to hate them, anyway.

We're also being conditioned to hate Chinese Americans, thanks to our racist President and his commentary on the Covid-19 crisis. Calling it the "Kung Flu" is hateful! None of our Chinese American citizens, or the citizens of China, deserve to be treated badly just because the current pandemic came from China.

And We the People would be wise to wear masks, and continue practicing social distancing, so we can get rid it; but here again, we're being conditioned to believe that wearing a mask is a violation of our Constitutional rights. But, I ask you...what about the rights of those who will die from it, because it keeps getting spread? They have the right to live....wear the masks, while you're in public!!

We're also not all that independent, when it comes to production of goods and services; most of what we buy or use, comes from overseas. Clothing, computers, smart phones, food, transportation, etc...most of it is produced/manufactured in a foreign country. And a great deal of what we produce/manufacture is shipped to foreign countries, rather than being sold here; however, the United States imports more than we export. We are very dependent on foreign countries.

Let me ask you another thought-provoking question. How are the marginalized groups of people in the United States supposed to live their own American Dream, when we continue to treat them like second class citizens?

• The poor can't pick themselves up by their bootstraps, if they're not earning a living wage; and insisting that they work 2-3 jobs, if they want to better their lives, is condemning them to slavery.
• The LGBTQ community can't live like they belong here, if we keep telling them their way of life isn't the "proper" way.
• People of color will remain afraid for their lives, until we start treating them like they're human beings, too.
• Women will continue to be the "weaker sex", in general, until we treat them like they're just as capable as any man; and just as worthy of the same amount of income, for the same job performed.
• Disabled people are still human beings; but we treat them like they're a burden. Some of them get abused by able-bodied people. This needs to stop!!

I grew up being taught the Golden Rule...

So I've spent my entire life treating everyone the same...always thinking, "is this the way I want to be treated?" before I interact with them; rather than just extending my "thoughts and prayers", which is nothing more than a personal pat on the head.

I don't hate anyone. I give to the less fortunate, because it feels good to help them; I've been helped, on occasion, myself. I believe in human rights, and equality for all people; regardless of skin color, heritage, gender identity, income (or lack thereof), etc. We are all human beings; instead of just parroting a mantra, we should all be treated like we matter! Other countries treat marginalized groups like second-class citizens, as well; if we stopped doing that, then will we truly BE an independent nation!