When Can We Truly Celebrate America’s Independence?

Last weekend, many celebrated July 4th to mark America’s independence from Great Britain, centuries ago. Yet we see marches seeking justice for those of color across the U.S. Many of the participants in these marches belong to all races. Their core belief is that, when there is injustice anywhere, it serves justice nowhere.

Similarly, we see the assault against immigrants today, which is shocking for a nation of immigrants, largely built by the hard work and determination of immigrants and their progeny. Many immigrants and nonimmigrants have lost their independence this year. The two Presidential Proclamations issued on April 22, 2020 and June 22, 2020, ensure that immigrants and nonimmigrants, enjoy fewer freedoms than ever before. Both proclamations ensure that many cannot enter the U.S. or return to their homes in the U.S. to continue to contribute to America, at least until December 31, 2020. The mockery of the President using the global pandemic of Covid-19 and its economic fallout to separate families seems to make no sense, since many view it primarily as a political maneuver with little to no impact on saving jobs for Americans.

Any holiday is meaningful only when all those living in a country feel the joy to celebrate. Here’s to celebrating our holidays when all are truly free and feel empowered, allowed to live in peace and harmony, with a feeling of trust and care from those in power. Only then will all want to contribute to enrich the nation in myriad ways.

Each one of us has a responsibility to help one another and our country. So, how will you help to make that happen? Hopefully, by next July 4th we will all have reason to celebrate America’s independence, as “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

~ Sheela Murthy

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