Reflections on Independence Day
As 4th of July approaches during this time of tremendous upheaval, myriad thoughts and emotions are arising for me. As the daughter of two immigrant refugees who found sanctuary in America after surviving a horrific genocide, I was raised to be extremely grateful to this country—to “kiss the soil” I was standing on.
Later in his life, my father wrote about arriving by ship in 1946 into the New York Harbor: “I felt the welcoming presence of the Statue of Liberty. A symbol of freedom and tolerance, she represented my adopted country, my future.”
The statue of the Roman liberty goddess, Liberatas—a gift from the people of France to those of the United States in honor of our commitment to liberty that they believed was enlightening the world—was dedicated in October 1886. In addition to the torch high above her head, the goddess holds a tablet inscribed with the date the Declaration of Independence was signed, while a broken shackle and chain lies at her feet to commemorate the recent national abolition of slavery. Yet here we are, more than one hundred and thirty years later, still confronting the heartbreaking reality that our country does not ensure freedom and protection for all.
My father frequently spoke about how our outer world is a reflection of our inner world, and how we too often attack problems without addressing their root cause. In order to perceive the unity of the entire human family and achieve true equality for everyone, my father believed that we must learn to liberate ourselves from ancient conditioning that perpetuates a culture of fear and dominance.
I feel hopeful that this time in history, although very painful, offers a unique opportunity for dramatic healing and transformation. More and more people are becoming aware of the fact that in addition to changing the institutions that perpetuate oppression, mending the vast divisions in our country also requires inner work—honestly identifying our conscious and unconscious biases so that we can eliminate the patterns that perpetuate suffering. It’s an ongoing, essential journey that we must take collectively as well as individually.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend,
— Myra
