Today is July Fourth and although I’m not nor have ever been a reflexive flag-waving, jingoistic American, I have always celebrated the Fourth with gusto. Growing up in the Philadelphia area meant that Colonial America, The Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution were never far from the collective awareness of the people. It’s kind of difficult not to, at least, tacitly reflect on the story of America’s founding when you see actors portraying Benjamin Franklin semi-regularly or to be at least a little bit inspired when hearing the Declaration read out loud at Independence Square on July Fourth.
That, of course, doesn’t mean that I was ever unaware of America’s many flaws. Far from it. I grew up in the seventies and eighties—the stain and shame of Vietnam lingered throughout my childhood to the point where I “knew” that I shouldn’t admit that my father had served as an officer during the war. And then there was Watergate, Nixon’s impeachment, the bumbling and stumbling of Gerald Ford, the Iranian hostage crisis under Carter and the awful economic nightmare known as stagflation, not to mention the quiet suspicion that the assignations of JFK, RFK, and MLK in the sixties were not exactly what officialdom claimed them to be.
I knew all this and more and yet, I never considered the Fourth as anything but positive. The Fourth was for families, food, and fireworks. Like countless other Americans, to me the Fourth meant elaborate cookouts. The prerequisite American foods were there—burgers, hot dogs, corn, watermelon. But my family was always extra about holidays so there were two different kinds of potato salad (German and mayo-based), pasta salad, cucumber salad, BBQ chicken, baked beans, and a ridiculous number of desserts. Friends, co-workers, and neighbors were always welcome—our shared heritage as Americans trumped any ethnic, political, or religious differences.
It was never perfect, but it was peaceful—differences and grievances were temporarily shelved in favor of fun and fellowship. We blasted rock music (my rock-loving uncle would accept nothing else), played games, told stories, and laughed our asses off. When I think back on my childhood and youth, memories of family get-togethers are what I cherish and what I miss the most. Although I still celebrate the Fourth with similar foods, things are so very different now. Most of my relatives have passed; my daughter doesn’t live nearby, and my husband and I are in the middle of a massive relocation to a new area. A party with more than just a few people just isn’t happening as much as I long for the raucous celebrations of my youth.
But, there is one thing that I have not nor will ever give up on the Fourth—blasting rock music. Rock with its inherent rebelliousness is perfectly matched to any Independence Day celebration. American rockers have produced so much amazing music since the advent of Rock-n-Roll that it’s quite difficult to craft a definitive or comprehensive list that exemplifies the spirit of America and its rebellious nature, but I gave it a try with a massive Apple Music playlist called “A Salute to All American Bands, But Mostly Alternative.” The title is a nod to one of Sam the Eagle’s lines from the Walt Disney World attraction, Muppet Vision 3D. Give it a listen if you get a chance and let me know if it works as a July Fourth playlist. Or better yet, make your own amazing rocking playlist to enjoy as you celebrate being an American with your family and friends.
Gen X Calling 