Photo of me in 1976 celebrating America’s Bicentennial in my patriot attire.
The Bicentennial was an extraordinary celebration of our nation’s 200th birthday. Here in historic Massachusetts, the festivities were unforgettable—from the tall ships and Pops concerts in Boston to community events across the state. Revolutionary War reenactments brought history to life in Lexington and Concord, the birthplace of the American Revolution. Towns and cities held parades, fireworks, and gatherings that seemed to unite people from all walks of life. It was an exciting and fun celebration that brought the country together.
Over the past 50 years, I’ve learned far more about American history than I ever did in school. I’ve come to appreciate many of our nation’s achievements, while also recognizing some of its darkest chapters—starting with the treatment of Native Americans and the enslavement of millions of Africans. We have made progress, but prejudice, discrimination, and division remain part of our national story.
Recently, political polarization has reached a level I never expected to see in my lifetime. Our differences seem deeper, our institutions more strained, and our ability to find common ground increasingly difficult. The divisions that exist today have exposed weaknesses in our political system that will take years—perhaps decades—to address.
Despite all of this, I still consider myself fortunate to live in the United States. Yet as our country approaches its 250th birthday, I find myself feeling more reflective than celebratory. I simply do not feel any enthusiasm for celebrating our nation’s birthday in our current political climate.
