July 4th Reflections …
July Fourth is a wonderful day to celebrate, usually marked by a relaxing day of connecting with family and friends, with the barbecues fired up, maybe some fireworks and most definitely some sparklers.
This Fourth of July, more than ever, I’m reflecting about our nation, its founding, and its commitments to freedom and democracy.
It is with this thought that I retreated to a little comfort zone in my home, and looked at a stack of books next to a chair, which are meant to be those types of books that you can pick up, read a few pages, and put down - hopefully imparting some wisdom, but at the very least a bit of entertainment.
The books ranged from Lidia Bastianich’s My American Dream - A Life of Love, Family, and Food, to Seeking Wisdom, from Darwin to Munger by Peter Bevelin, to E.B. White's On Democracy.
This last book seemed entirely appropriate to pick up on the day before July 4th.
Most of us know E.B. White as a prominent children’s author, famous for Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. However, he was also a prolific essayist, spending his career writing for The New Yorker magazine.
As I sit with his book, I realize it is ripe with meaning and applicability to today’s world. His writings from the pre-WWI and WWII eras are so relevant to today. They remind us of the importance of holding onto the vision of what this country means to us all—especially our freedoms.
In the tapestry of freedom woven by our forefathers, the threads of individuality intertwine with the strength of shared purpose. We cherish the right to forge our own paths, to think for ourselves, and to make choices that shape our lives.
Yet, E.B. White reminds us that true liberty isn't a chaotic free-for-all. It thrives alongside a commitment to fair rules, recognizing that our freedoms flourish best when exercised in a society that protects the rights of all. This delicate balance between personal agency and collective responsibility is the essence of the American ideal, a continuous dance that ensures freedom rings true for every citizen.
E.B. White wrote about freedom, just after Pearl Harbor and our entry into WWII:
Yes, I say to that with wholehearted concurrence.
Ironically, in 1943, The New Yorker was asked by the Writer’s War Board, described as a “domestic propaganda organization in the US during WWII,” to write about democracy.
The assignment was handed off to E.B. White, who distilled the virtues of democracy.
It certainly doesn’t hurt to be reminded.
E.B. White's words remind us that freedom and democracy are not guaranteed, but a continuous dance requiring active participation.
Holding onto these ideals, along with a hopeful spirit, is what keeps me moving forward.
On this Independence Day, I celebrate the American experiment and recommit to its promise.