Happy Independence Day to US peeps. To the rest of the world, bear with us today while we get all fireworky, and some of us lose fingers or eyes, and some of us get drunk and hurt each other, and some of us get sunburned and eat way too much potato salad… But it’s not all like that; not just Big Lights Big Noise, but also a day to think about, ya know, the meaning of it all; this Declaration.
Several years ago, someone created this modern-language version of part of the Declaration of Independence. If it’s been a while since you thought about what those founder guys were doing, take a look: it’s about the right of a people not to be dehumanized, marginalized, ignored, or harmed by their government.
Today I find myself thinking about independence, and about the fact that it’s only achieved when we can depend on each other.
That’s why this article about the Make It Right Foundation building homes for Katrina survivors in New Orleans is here today. This article will tell you what’s happening right now, for context: but what I really want to point you to is this long profile of Brad Pitt’s work to make the foundation, and the homes, happen.
This to me is a social-justice issue. And to create something that’s equitable and fair and has respect and provides dignity for the family within is absolutely essential…
— Brad Pitt, speaking about the houses that will be built by the Make It Right Foundation
Yes, it is. It’s the reason we got into the revolution business in the first place. It’s why we have the governmental framework that we do. It’s why we have a new president. And wanting each other to have what’s equitable and fair, wanting to provide each other with dignity, is what will ensure that we all retain the independence that we’re so proud of.
I hope someday we’ll only ever use our independence the way Brad Pitt is doing — as a shield, as a tool, as a tie that binds us all together into community. I hope one day we won’t feel the need to use it as a club against each other and the world. Now there would be a thing to celebrate.