Independence Day
‘Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.’ Wikipedia
‘At the second Continental Congress during the summer of 1776, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia was charged with drafting a formal statement justifying the 13 North American colonies’ break with Great Britain. A member of a five man committee that included John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, Jefferson drew up a draft and included Franklin’s and Adams’ corrections. At the time, the Declaration of Independence was regarded as a collective effort of the Continental Congress; Jefferson was not recognized as its principal author until the 1790s.’ History
Two Hundred and forty-two years ago we, rebels, decided that we had enough of the king of England’s’ abuse and domination.
‘We hold these truths to be self-Evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’ Declaration of Independence
‘That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,…’ Declaration of Independence
We live in a country that that was founded on the freedom of the people to form their own government that best reflected their needs and best interest.
July 4, 1776 was a declaration against tyrants and dictators and a recognition that ‘…
all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’
The vision of the United States, that was held by our forefathers was a country of freedom and opportunity and acceptance of the ‘unalienable rights of man.’
Now the writers of the Declaration of Independence, vision did not comport with their reality.
Many of them, including the author of the document Thomas Jefferson, were slave owners.
When referring to the king of England, Jefferson wrote, ‘He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose know rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.’
But, this is the story of our nation…we have learned and grown through the sweat and blood and tears and sufferings of large groups of peoples who we have not recognized as our equals…and, alas, we have not measured-up, to our founding document…on numerous occasions.
We are still trying to be the men and women that the Declaration of Independence calls for.
At our countries best moments…we have been a brilliant beacon of hope for the Earth’s oppressed.
We are a young country and an experiment in social justice and the international rights of humanity…
We are, currently, being tested regarding our commitment to, ‘He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.’ Declaration of Independence
‘Isn’t it amazing that we are all made in God’s image, and yet there is so much diversity among his people?’ Desmond Tutu
‘A lot of different flowers make a bouquet.’ Muslim Origin
‘Diversity: the art of thinking independently together.’ Malcom Forbes
‘Ultimately, America’s answer to the intolerant man is diversity.’ Robert Kennedy
‘An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.’ Martin Luther King Jr.
‘It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.’ Maya Angelou
We visited an American cemetery in Tunis, Tunisia that had the most lovely grave markers and it was maintained in an immaculate manner. Our Muslim tour guide wept when he recounted the sacrifices that American G.I.s had given to defend his country during the Second World War.
On the white and glistening grave stones were Star of David and the Crescent and Star and the Christian Cross and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Hindu and the Buddhist.
When I was the chair of the civil service council at Southern Illinois University I witnessed a heated exchange between an African American member of the council and a white member of the group.
As we were discussing our attempt, and ultimate success in obtaining Veteran’s Day as a university holiday…the Caucasian member of the council said that if we could recognize Martin Luther King’s birthday…we could recognize Veterans’s Day.
The African American member responded that she did not recognize the Fourth of July as it certainly was not her people’s independence day.
Now, if your people had come to this country as slaves and you did not have voting rights until the 1960s and you lived with the constant fear of the Ku Klux Klan and lynching and Jim Crowe…how would you feel?
I love our flag and or country…but it does not make me any difference how my African American brothers and sisters choose to recognize it…as this is their country as much as it is my country…and we will either succed together…or we will all fail… in this grand journey from the cradle to the grave.
A View From the Cheap Seats
I have been honored to have several Southern Illinois University chancellors and, one, president as friends during my forty year affiliation with SIU.
Last week, I read with great interest the emails that have been made public regarding communications with the president of SIU and other university leaders.
Absent a cogent explanation from the university president…it appears that we have a leadership mess on our hands…and a Carbondale campus that can ill afford such a comedy of errors.
I admire SIU trustee, Joel Sambursky, for his courage in asking for a meeting of the executive council of the Board. During my forty years…I have seldom witnessed such exemplary courage and commitment to truth telling by leadership.
When university leaders, ‘play’, with our beloved campus…it can be likened to disturbing our homes and families.
It is not funny, to us, for you to nickname our chancellor, ‘Rasputin’, or to speculate on a dismissive attitude to the needs of the Southern Illinois region by quickly pivoting to the needs of the Metro East region…which is comparing one of the poorest regions of our state with one of the wealthiest.
I have witnessed divisiveness and duplicity…many times during my career at SIUC…but what I read this past week shocked me.
I worked, behind the scenes, with SIU president, Glenn Poshard, on numerous occasions over many years. I had a front row seat to witness president Poshard’s love for the entire university system. I have been with Glenn…when he wept over the loss of employees to lay-off.
President Poshard began his career as a civil service employee in the Physical Plant. He loved the working people of SIU.
For university leadership to have the caviler and condescending attitude for the Carbondale Campus…which is the flagship campus of the SIU System…is an offense that cuts to the bone of all who love SIUC.
I have been retired from my university for nearly eight years. I am past knowing leaders personally…but I am still called upon by my former colleagues and friends for advice and consultation regarding pressing university matters.
I am humbled and honored that some from the civil service community still look to me for advice…and I told them to have confidence in some who, it appears, have misled us. This saddens me…like I have not been in many years.
As I was fastening my, ‘old man velcro walking shoes’, near Anthony Hall…a few months ago…I looked up to see chancellor Montemagno standing in front of me and smiling. We exchanged pleasantries and I was struck with how friendly and open that he was, with me, in view of the fact that we had never met.
As the chancellor walked away…I noticed that he had a pronounced limp and that he was walking slowly. I was concerned regarding his health and observed him, graciously, stop a few feet from me and speak to another, senior person, like he had to me.
The Happy Traveler 