The day of our Great Nation’s independence is here, and we should use this July 4th to strengthen the bonds that we have with each other, our families, and our communities.
Our day of independence is rooted in national unity, but in 2020 we find that our unity has become strained and we have become polarized and splintered. We want to continue having difficult conversations about racial inequality, opportunity, and restructuring systems to better serve our diverse citizenry, but to do so we have to be willing to treat those with whom we disagree with respect.
While we stand in solidarity with movements that strive for racial unity and equal opportunity, we also unequivocally expect that dissent and protests remain peaceful and civil. All Americans have been granted certain unalienable rights including “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” – this includes all Americans, regardless of their worldview or opinions. Calm and civil discourse leads to real change, the alternative is a descent into societal chaos and distress.
So please, support your friends and neighbors who are fighting for justice and equality, but not those who attempt to do so through violence and intimidation.
Finally, please remember to celebrate the 4th of July responsibly by following common sense guidelines and those outlined by your local municipalities and businesses. We’ve done a great job working together to drastically reduce infection rates, but we still have a little way to go before it’s over.
Have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend!
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