It’s pretty quiet today in my house, though I have some Bach playing in the background. Bach in Mexico is as incongruous as the Fourth of July is here. Not many Mexicans care about Bach, though a few do. The cultural values are just different, viz., tacos and hot dogs. Like so many other holidays, the Fourth has lost its original purpose, celebrating the independence and founding of the USA. Today it’s the Big Holiday: three days off from work, barbecuing, drinking, the beach, family time. Fireworks are the only symbol of Independence Day left that makes sense.
And there isn’t much unity left in the old federalist vision of a mutually united United States, is there? Maybe there never was. I thought for a minute about comparing Trump to George Washington, a man of reason, humility and integrity. Well, no need to go further with that.
There are pockets of Americans in Mexico who do celebrate the Fourth—in places like Cabo and Cancun. But the American Fourth is quite different in tone and style from Mexican Independence Day on September 16th which features marching bands, parades, street food and folk festivals.
For me, American holidays have lost most of their meaning. I know that’s true for many of us whether we live at home or abroad. Big holidays are mostly about time off and Black Friday sales. Much has been written about the dessication of our holidays over time. It’s true even in my lifetime. The old parades and the fire trucks showed the kids some hometown spectacle. My mother used to call Memorial Day Decoration Day, its former name. Some still lament the commercialization of Christmas. Holidays are now major economic events, and that’s also becoming true in Mexico.
As the world has become more money-driven, it’s also turned more authoritarian, which implies a denial (or transmutation) of most historical values and traditions. I wish you a Happy Fourth of July anyway, and you might try putting on some Bach.
Yesterday, the 4th, we took our chairs to the parade which was complete with marching bands, kids on bikes with crepe ribbons flapping in spikes, horse patrols, queen of the parade in the first of many floats, lots of folks in red, white & blue waving American flagsand reportedly over 35,000 happy people celebrating all day in a smallish square with kids games, blowup trampolines, foods, music & a special ringing by kids of the look alike liberty bell at the exact time the declaration of independence was signed. The evening brought music from locals and of course, fireworks. This was the kind of 4th I remembered from.my youth.
Yes, it is also a 3 day holiday-much needed for so many hard working folks-and yes, I do not in any way support what this administration in doing, but I will always be proud to be an.American and have the privilege and right to take part in and enjoy celebrations such as these.
I did not have classical music on during the 4th, but here in Tromso, Norway, I watched Wimbledon live on TV and Carlos Alcaraz won. A special day indeed.
John
So well said. We are living in sad and selfish times.
Be well
Bill and Kate
For the last 35 years, we’ve celebrated the 4th of July in a small town in the Sierra of northern California where we have a casita. It’s so small that the parade goes around town twice. (Two for one!) Dating from the Cali gold rush, this year’s festivities were about the 160th. Anyone can march in the parade; just line up by 10:30, and here we go. We’ve had the typical mix of participants that Sally described above. For years, even before the Veterans’ color guard and Grand Marshall, the parade was led by an African American bagpiper in full kilts. It was an anything goes wholesome atmosphere, an inclusive fun community celebration draped red, white and blue. Sure, there was flag waving and love of country, but the emphasis was on inclusive family fun.
Until about 10 years ago. Since then, divisiveness and red meat partisanship dominated, and it became no fun at all. No. Bagpiper.
This year, for whatever reason, it felt like good old times. There were few if any signs or slogans, just a small community, where everyone knows most everyone else, laughing and enjoying a beautiful day together. Given that many people see things as worse than ever now, I really don’t have a good explanation for this surprising, almost joyful turn. Perhaps it was because women were in charge this year.
Hallelujah.