By Meg Peterson
Editor’s Note: The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the other editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item.
America’s 250th birthday really has me in a festive yet pensive mood. I want to celebrate our nation by musing, as I like to do. In this case, I am thinking about the tune, “America the Beautiful.” And, because I have vocal chords that would make even the croakiest of frogs envious, I am going to write my thoughts instead of sing them.
“O beautiful for spacious skies…”
Oh, if only, as millennials (technically, I am now considered a “geriatric millennial” – a more “senior” of the millennial generation), we could take a hot minute break away from looking at our ‘o beautiful spacious tablets or phone screens’ to experience America with our eyes instead of through a phone filter.
“O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress…”
Oh, if only, we could use our ‘pilgrim feet’ to walk away from unconstitutional laws and mandates that abridge our freedoms to think, speak and move. If only, we could instead walk toward building a culture in which we set aside our allergies to hard work and discomfort in order to pursue what it means to be freedom-driven and liberty-minded. The millennial generation has perfected the art of decorating our lives with laziness and indecision beneath the flimsy rooftop of self-care. Yes, it is vital to care for oneself in order to be one’s best for others. But the quintessential “selfie” captures the short-range lens of self-indulgence – at the cost of caring for one’s broader community, nation and world.
“O beautiful for heroes proved, In liberating strife…”
Oh, if only we could return to courage and heroism. It is difficult to be brave from the millennial viewpoint. After all, there is no reason to be brave or courageous if we cower behind an Instagram reel or Facebook update.
“O beautiful for patriot dream, That sees beyond the years…”
Oh, if only we could look beyond the proverbial end of our noses and beyond the objective of wanting to be “an influencer.” To have forethought, to put in the work, to put in the wisdom to establish the truth-telling, freedom-giving groundwork for ourselves and our posterity: that is a beautiful patriot dream. May our dreams outlast the next social media hype. Here is to looking at you 1776, 2026 and 2076!
