As we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — marking the official birthday of the United States of America Saturday, July 4 — I keep coming back to the title of Fairfield University’s yearlong cultural programming on the subject, “America 250: The Promise and Paradox.”
On the one hand, many have said they are in no mood to celebrate. They point to the Iran War, the harsh treatment of migrants, the coopting of civil liberties and the loss of a standard of living despite the soaring stock market. Even the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to uphold birthright citizenship and President Donald J. Trump’s redesign of Washington, D.C. strike them as losses. (In this I’m reminded of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and the need not to let others rob you of your joy.)
On the other hand, the U.S.’ co-hosting of the World Cup has been a smashing success, with foreign visitors praising the hospitality, culture and food of rural, suburban and urban areas from sea to shining sea. America is a big country, these marveling posters say — big in size, big in portions and big in heart.
What is going on here?
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