My Fourth of July Hope

I dedicate these excerpts from the poem "Boston" by the great Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) to all who still have the Spirit of '76 in their hearts...no matter where they live..regardless of their country of origin.

In the days before these States were united, a culmination of events stemming from the well-crafted expression of long-held feelings of inequality and civil discontent resulted in what's known today as The Boston Tea Party:

"Bad news from George on the English throne:
'You are thriving well,' said he;
'Now by these presents be it known,
You shall pay us a tax on tea;
'Tis very small,--no load at all,--
Honor enough that we send the call.' "

"Kings shook with fear, old empires crave
The secret force to find
Which fired the little State to save
The rights of all mankind.


But right is might through all the world;
Province to province faithful clung,
Through good and ill the war-bolt hurled,
Till Freedom cheered and the joy-bells rung."

The great thinkers and writers of the day inspired a web of communities and provinces to come together in common cause.

Today's "war-bolt" need not be facilitated by violence and the unnecessary shedding of innocent blood, but instead by the strong force of our greatest ideals; our greatest ideas; our common goals; our love for equality; our seeking fairness in trade and workers' rights; our respect for business conducted with social responsibility and a close eye on human rights; our caring for our fellow man and woman; ever pushing others up when they cry for freedom; ever-vigilant to keep our own hard-won freedoms secured.

We create the world in which we live each and every new day.

232 years ago, a small group of thinkers created this small imperfect miracle. She's not a miracle that will survive without our willing and loving participation.

If you're a U.S. citizen, remember what - and who - enabled us to be here today creating this new world. Rededicate your personal causes, whatever they may be, to the common cause of all men and women for the right to live their lives in harmony with one another...free of oppression...with equal opportunity...secure and cooperative in their own communities and in the world.

Right is might throughout the world.
Let it ring.
Happy 4th of July.


- Jude