Ten For Today: The Fourth of July

Malvina Reynolds, The Impressions, Lee Dorsey, Gil Scott Heron, Paul Simon, The Tubes, Charlie Rich, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Patrick Juvet, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings

I am a patriot. I am a sad, confused, disappointed, anxious patriot. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, and I don’t cede my patriotism. I embrace it.

Today, that fucking traitor will sign a bill that builds a concentration camp, creates a royal guard, ensures the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the obscenely rich in American history, and takes food and healthcare from our most vulnerable neighbors. And it does so much more -- some of it slowly, so people voting in the midterms (LOL) may not notice in time. It is a dark and unsettled time in our weakened democracy.

And as excruciatingly difficult as it is right now, I still believe in the promise of America. Maybe it’s like a phantom limb. Entirely possible.

I don’t know a lot about my paternal grandparents, who were Irish, but I do know some about my mother’s people, who were Acadian. They came here with very little, sixth-grade educations, speaking no English. They found work, had a family, found community, and built a life. When they died, they left the country better than they found it, and they left a legacy that continues to serve. Theirs is the story of the promise of America.

The Fourth of July has always been one of my least favorite holidays. Growing up, I had an anti-authority streak, and a healthy mistrust of government, which was very simple when I was a young, outspoken pain-in-the-ass with an ax to grind. Back then, I saw a world that had nothing more than hard lines to cross or not cross. No gray. One size fit all. There was a problem. There was a solution. There was moral. There was immoral. Maybe sometimes there was amoral. That’s as complicated as it got.

As I got older, things became far more nuanced. Though I had a well-formed perspective, I tried hard to see all sides. I listened. I developed empathy. I looked for the unintended consequences of changes for which I advocated. I actually went to work for the government. As I used to joke, I became part of the problem, instead of being part of the solution. I learned that it’s a LOT easier to throw rocks from the outside, but very possible, if there is political will, to make meaningful change from the inside.

Part of the problem with the Fourth is that it has always held jingoistic tendencies. I do know that the word “jingo” connotes war, and that’s what I mean. It’s steeped in that nationalism that believes in a simple us vs. them. It “others” everyone who deviates from the proud-to-be-an-American script. I say “This war is unjust.” They say “Support the troops.” I say “I do support the troops. I can’t support this war.” They say “Support the troops! God bless America!”

This nationalism wants to beat up anyone who’s not part of the narrowly-defined tribe. I say “Slavery!” and they say “I never owned a slave.” I tell them why that doesn’t matter. They say they don’t see color.

This world view has convinced people that they earned everything they have without help, and others who don’t deserve it will take it from them if they don’t defend it with fists and other weapons. I say “Poor people don’t want to be poor.” They say “Welfare queen!” I say “We are all in this together.” They say “I worked hard for everything I have.” I say “Your uncle got you that job. There was no nationwide search.” They say, “Socialist!”

We go round and round, and the crabs in the barrel continue to pull each other down while the fat cats eat – you guessed it – crab.

The blind loyalty is and always has been a big part of my problem. There are those who, when confronted with a complaint will say, “If you don’t like it, you can leave.” That’s not the right response though. The right response is, “If you don’t like it, work to change it.” This encapsulates the difference between blind loyalty and the belief in the promise of America.

These days, I am surprised that I am moved in a way I have never been before by certain public expressions of civic pride. I am talking about a public recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance (though, as we have discussed previously, I do change a couple of the words), or the singing of the National Anthem. Community parades always give me a lump in my throat. Drum lines make me weep. But all of this even more so now, because it’s all at risk. I think that’s a sign that I can’t despair. I have to find my people. I will look for the helpers. I will try to be one of the helpers. As an older white woman of adequate means, that is my obligation. I have to keep trying.

Here are Ten For Today: The Fourth of July.

This is from 1966. Malvina Reynolds reminds us about resilience and tenacity.

Celebration and condemnation, all in one groovy package. This is from 1968.

This was the first recording of an Allen Toussaint-penned gem, and it was released in 1970. It offers optimism. The Pointer Sisters had a hit with it in 1973, and I feel like it’s ripe for revival.

The people know. From 1974.

This Vietnam-era gem from 1975 certainly captures some of the betrayal many of us are feeling now.

Life wasn’t easy in 1976, but maybe it was a bit simpler. This is much better than that Lee Greenwood drivel.

I know this is cheesy, but I love it. It’s from 1976.

This is also from 1976, which of course was the Bicentennial. And these guys were Scottish, so do what you will with that. As we limp to the finish toward our Semiquincentennial, I think it may be time to get this party started again.

It’s important that we consider the perspective of people from other countries. Here’s a thoughtful assessment from an earnest French man, in the tradition of Tocqueville.

This SHOULD be the National Anthem. It’s a much better song. And this is as good a version as any. I don’t know the year of the performance, but she released the song in 2005.

That’s it. I hope you have a nice holiday weekend. Be kind. Resist. Don’t let them steal your hope or your joy.

Joyce

P.S. I finished this post last night just as I learned that some of my beloved Red Sox — many of them men who would be deportation targets if they were here to do another kind of work, went to Washington and shook the hand of the despot, and I don’t understand how they don’t see what millions of us see. Leading the league in errors.

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More P.S. You Boston-area folks might be interested in this series I am involved in. Which Side: A Protest Music Teach-Out is a a concert and discussion series celebrating and exploring protest music. And — full disclosure — an organizing effort. But I am sure you can see that. Details here.

And for you non-Bostonians, we will develop some kind of how-to/curriculum to share with people in other places who want to do similar. Culture will save us.

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I have two Substacks. This one always has a playlist, and the other does not. This one is free, unless you want to pay for it. Paying for it gives you access to the archive, which has over 666 posts now. I promise I spend the money wisely, not at Fenway Park. You might also enjoy my other Substack. Or you might not. I don’t know you well enough to say. That one is always free. I should pay YOU to read it. Either way, thanks for being here!

(Installation by Silence Dogood Boston)