America has never been better for some of the readers.
The future of this country has never been more ominous to some of the readers.
A more divided country than the one we currently inhabit is difficult to envision. Furthermore, urging everyone to put aside their differences, even for a day, would be stupid. But we’re still going to do it. Because you must be concerned about this nation’s future if you are reading this.
And that enduring love for our country is, and always has been, the bright light that leads Americans through difficult times.
Central Floridians ought to honor the things that unite us on this Independence Day. And that starts with our independence, which is represented by the rights that our founding fathers fought for when the US was still a young nation. We all have the freedom to express our opinions. the freedom to practice our own religion. the freedom to publish ideas and information for public consumption. the freedom to unite in celebration or protest. the freedom to express our opinions and challenge our elected representatives. the privilege of gun ownership. the right to fair trials, protection from harsh or unusual punishments, and protection from abusive police methods. the right of every individual to receive equitable treatment from their government, irrespective of their gender, color, or ideology.
We should also reflect on how this country has fostered aspirations for success. According to census data, about 5.5 million small enterprises were founded in this country last year, proving that it is indeed the land of opportunity. Many of them will develop to create jobs and boost the economies of their local towns and the country.
Americans are bound together by respect for economic freedom and shared rights because we depend on the safeguards they offer. This suggests a more profound mandate, one that the country’s founders deemed so significant that they included it into the name of the new country. Many Americans think that the ideological and political divisions that have torn this nation apart are too great to be repaired and that we are no longer together.
These gaps need to be filled. The future of the country rests on it.
The comforting reality is that we have experienced this situation before. America has endured a terrible economic downturn, a war in which hundreds of thousands of people died, and a severe rift over civil rights. Americans can endure this storm if they have faith and resolve.
The best illustration is probably the history of our nation’s founding. The patriots who established the foundation of this new country disagreed on a number of issues, including whether slavery should be abolished, the extent of governmental authority, and the relationship between states. Nevertheless, they succeeded in creating the world’s biggest nation.
Therefore, Americans should make an effort to let go of their sense of futility and cynicism on this Independence Day, which commemorates the date that began this significant experiment. We must figure out how to communicate with one another and, more crucially, how to listen to one another. Everyone in this country has never had the same sentiments, but in the current atmosphere, people are not only having different opinions, but also different perceptions of the same facts. Understanding why the opposing side feels the way they do is therefore practically impossible.
It is not necessary to be blind to perceived threats to fundamental liberties in order to understand one another. You don’t have to compromise your morals. However, it may create a point of agreement where Americans can work together and celebrate mutual objectives.
In our community, initiatives are being taken to assist close those knowledge gaps. One noteworthy initiative is the One Small Step project by Central Florida Public Media, which is a collaboration with the nationwide StoryCorps. It unites strangers who hold different opinions to discuss contentious issues. The discussions are worth listening to and are available on their website (we’ll include a link in the online version of this editorial). Additionally, academics and religious leaders are holding talks on occasionally contentious subjects. We can also be reminded of our shared objectives of creating a community where everyone is treated equally and with respect by initiatives like the Central Florida Pledge.
Consider creating your own opportunity if you are unable to locate one of them.
However, that is a matter for the future. Today is a day to celebrate with loved ones, watch fireworks light up the sky, and express our gratitude to everyone who has persevered through the bitter debates and sacrificed their lives to make the United States of America a steadfast bulwark of greatness.
Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick, Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, and Executive Editor Roger Simmons make up the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board. Correspondence should be emailed to [email protected].
