4th of July is so different this year. COVID-19 has struck down all traditional ceremonies, leaving Americans to celebrate the event in a shorter edition, with limited ceremonial celebration. The pomp, pageantry, parades, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of America to another do not appear to be a possibility now. COVID-19 not only deprived Americans of grand celebrations on 4th of July; it has also snatched from them family members and friends, and left them devastated. Not a favorable time to celebrate an event in the face of grim tragedies and terrible grief.
The administration at various levels, from towns and cities to federal level, may be ruing the hit to economy and having to face budget shortages. They may be upset that the battered economy is likely to take years to recover health. They may be worried about a possible public outcry at not being provided the amenities and facilities that they have been so used to for decades. They may be worried about their political careers which may be ruined for no fault of theirs.
But, let us have a look at another scenario which is not exactly the gift of COVID-19 but a result of violation of rights of citizens at the hands of law enforcement. In the wake of a black George Floyd’s death allegedly at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis ( it was not the first of its kind; many blacks have been killed at the hands of white police officers) , a whole lot of people- black, white, brown, yellow came out in the open to protest the killing. The issue of racism came to fore. We have witnessed protests, some violent, but most mainly peaceful. “Black Lives Matter” movement picked up steam and soon we found protesters gunning for removing Confederate symbols, including statues of Confederate soldiers and generals and all those who history tells were racists. It is altogether a new dimension to the civil movement. America, on this 4th of July, must understand the popular sentiment which is all against the racists and those who deprive people of color of their rights.
This 4th of July is witnessing a new energy which is bound to add a new chapter to American history. We celebrate the new energy.
God bless America!