“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” – Emma Lazarus.
Those famous words are etched on a bronze plaque inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Many decades ago, when immigrants from Europe sailed into New York Harbor, they stood in awe at the sight of Lady Liberty, with its torch beaming and its towering presence welcoming the exhausted migrants who had spent days and weeks on cramped ships in search of a better life in America.
That is the story of America – a melting pot of immigrants who come from all over the world in pursuit of a better life, bringing their cultures and ideas along with them. It is also my story: I was born in New York City, the child of Filipino immigrants who came to this country because they wanted their son to live a better life. My parents were not the first in their families to come here; generations of aunts, uncles, and cousins had come from the Philippines over the decades to call America their home. They worked as nurses, accountants, engineers, teachers, and countless other professions – all to pursue the American Dream for themselves and for their children. The diversity of the American people is not only reflected in my family but also in my friends, who can trace their roots and families all over the world. To immigrants, America is a land of opportunities – the opportunity to have a fresh start, to live comfortably, and to live in freedom. To this day, many still come to America to have a chance to experience that freedom.
Today’s Americans are part of a long and proud history of people who have fought for the cause of freedom. America was founded on the basis of democratic principles by colonists who protested taxation without representation being imposed by the British. Since then, there have always been Americans who fought for freedom, from those who fought to end slavery during the Civil War to those who fought to free the world from the tyrannies of imperialism and fascism during the world wars. In peacetime, there were those who protested on the streets to advance the cause of civil and voting rights for those who did not have any. Our history is full of ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things to ensure that we live up to the basic rights that the Constitution guarantees us: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Presidents from John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan have often referred to America as a “shining city on a hill”, a beacon of hope, freedom, and opportunity to the entire world. That ideal, the notion of American exceptionalism, although often dismissed, is believable. After all, the United States of America started out as a population of ragtag colonists and has become the world’s sole economic and military superpower in the span of more than two centuries. America has also been blessed with a beautiful and diverse landscape. From the mountains of the Rockies and Appalachians to the plains of the Midwest, from the towering skyscrapers of metropolises to quiet, rural towns, from the sun-kissed coasts to rustling forests, America is a vast, breathtaking country from sea to shining sea. It is as diverse as the people who live within it.
Yet, we must reckon with the fact that our nation is deeply divided. Political polarization has split the country in two, dividing us into so-called red states and blue states. Families, friends, and neighbors have been split by clashing ideas on what is the better approach to move our country forward. Some politicians seek to tear our country apart, exploiting our divisions and deepening our mistrust of one another. There exists in some corners of our country cynicism and apathy about our political situation. It seems that sometimes there are two Americas with completely contrasting ideals, making us unable to see eye to eye. Yet, history shows us that America has faced division before. The current political situation is just another challenge in the series of challenges that America has faced in its 249-year-old history, and just like other challenges, America will survive this one. No matter who people voted for or what they support, I still believe that most Americans are inherently good people who wish to live free, and that is what makes America worth fighting for.
On this 4th of July, we reflect on the ideals that define our country: freedom, opportunity, resilience, and diversity. I think of the millions of immigrants who have settled in America over the centuries to achieve the American Dream, with their cultures and diaspora forever becoming a part of the American story. I think of those who fought and died for our freedom on battlefields and on the streets, to ensure that America remains free and that America continues to uphold the values it was founded on. I think of the proud yet imperfect history of our country, which is remarkable in so many ways and continues to defy the odds. I think of the Americans of today, who live with the freedom to live their lives the way they wish to and have achieved their dreams because America gave them a chance to try.
The 4th of July is not only a celebration of independence but a celebration of the past, present, and future of America. It is a celebration of our people, our multifaceted culture, and our ideals. In the face of difficulty and division, let us be bold enough to listen to each other and be brave enough to continue believing in the American experiment. Let us continue to fight for a better America – one that continues to provide freedom and opportunity for all who live in it and wish to be a part of it.
I wish you all reading this a happy and safe 4th of July!
Emil Ordonez, a rising college freshman, is the founder and editor-in-chief of Polinsights. He has been deeply passionate about politics and history since learning every U.S. President at the age of five. He was compelled to start this blog after meeting many people who were misinformed or had become apathetic about how society worked. He hopes to provide factual knowledge and insights that will encourage people, especially the young, to get more engaged in their respective communities. In his free time, he edits for Wikipedia and makes maps for elections. He aspires to work in Congress or even the White House in the future.
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