This is the America I celebrate today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nwRiuh1Cug It's a campaign ad from Bernie Sanders' 2016 Presidential campaign. Bernie seems like a good guy, even if/when I don't support all his policy proposals. But I cry every time I watch this video: "They've all come to look for America." We're all - Americans born here and those seeking to become citizens - looking for America, as Langston Hughes put it:
We are being led in such a strenuously wrong direction, just now, it's hard for me to celebrate happily today. Still: "My country, right or wrong. When right, to remain right; when wrong, to be made right." If not by us, then by whom?
Thanks Jay. We are close to the same age and have the same sentiment about our country. I grew up in a holler in eastern Kentucky--a far cry from the university town of Ann Arbor, but I spent a year in Mecosta Michigan with Russell Kirk--also a lover of American order and liberty.
Thanks Jay. The "names on the golf carts" got me to thinking about all of the fighter squadrons I was in flying F-4E's and F-15s. There were names from so many different country and ethnic backgrounds in every single one. Truly the "melting pot" defending our nation. Savor our Freedoms and have a Joyous Fourth of July.
Amen to your inspired and fruitful list. I did hope to find John Dos Passos somewhere in it, but it brought him to mind anyway. Happy and blessed Fourth.
In 1977 I was in Moscow and Leningrad. My blue jeans and poncho marked me as some kind of a wandervogel.
In the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow a contemporary sidled up and started a conversation. At the end of our visit he asked if I could gift him a pair of blue jeans. I declined as I needed them for my journey, but offered to send him a pair by mail when I returned home. He replied, “Thank you, but it would be too dangerous to receive a package from the West.”
Later a fellow approached me on Nevsky Prospect in Leningrad and struck up another conversation. He asked if I’d read The Russians, by Hedrick Smith. (As it happened I had.) He acknowledged, “It’s all true, to our misfortune.” What a treat to tell him that, although I’d voted for President Ford, I supported President Carter’s efforts to hold the USSR to the Helsinki Accords.
Never, never, never take the blessings of this country for granted.
And don’t even think about leaving the USA in disgust. Before you do think of Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Okinawa and Khe Sanh, as well as all the other blessings catalogued by Mr. Nordlinger. Better you let them pry the USA out of your cold, dead fingers!
Your post has me thinking of Ralph Peer. He was the "talent scout" credited with making country (hillbilly, if you prefer) music a nationwide thing. Peer did so much more in the field of "roots" music generally. Through his work, and immigration, today's sound of America is much richer.
Thanks for this inspiring reminder of this great land’s cultural bounty that we all share. Much needed in the midst of this Trumpster fire in which we are currently living. I do note the irony in your otherwise fine piece on Lift Every Voice written in the run up to the 2008 election where you said “If disaster occurs and Obama is elected, why not have “Lift Ev’ry Voice” at the inauguration? But the new president might be nervous about hints of separatism. It would be even better to have the song at a McCain inauguration.” Whatever one may think about the Obama years (I happen to think they were OK), they seem pretty tame compared to the extant crisis. Your words and references are soothing balm on this day. Thank you.
Thanks for the reminder of what it means to be an American, Jay. Those of us who are native born can't help but take being an American for granted - like a fish doesn't know he is wet. It's another reason that immigrants are so important, they know what a blessing it is to a citizen of this country. Happy Independence Day, sir!
I always enjoy the writing about music. I'm also thinking of the recent conversation with Mona Charen. Agee/Barber, Knoxville: Summer of 1915, words and music, including orchestration, is so moving. I first encountered it on a recording with Elinor Steber, William Strickland conducting.
This is the America I celebrate today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nwRiuh1Cug It's a campaign ad from Bernie Sanders' 2016 Presidential campaign. Bernie seems like a good guy, even if/when I don't support all his policy proposals. But I cry every time I watch this video: "They've all come to look for America." We're all - Americans born here and those seeking to become citizens - looking for America, as Langston Hughes put it:
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
....
O, let America be America again—
The land that never has been yet—
And yet must be ....
https://poets.org/poem/let-america-be-america-again
We are being led in such a strenuously wrong direction, just now, it's hard for me to celebrate happily today. Still: "My country, right or wrong. When right, to remain right; when wrong, to be made right." If not by us, then by whom?
Thank you for the 4th of July playlist! Happy 4th!
You too!
Thanks Jay. We are close to the same age and have the same sentiment about our country. I grew up in a holler in eastern Kentucky--a far cry from the university town of Ann Arbor, but I spent a year in Mecosta Michigan with Russell Kirk--also a lover of American order and liberty.
Thanks Jay. The "names on the golf carts" got me to thinking about all of the fighter squadrons I was in flying F-4E's and F-15s. There were names from so many different country and ethnic backgrounds in every single one. Truly the "melting pot" defending our nation. Savor our Freedoms and have a Joyous Fourth of July.
Wonderful. Thx.
Amen to your inspired and fruitful list. I did hope to find John Dos Passos somewhere in it, but it brought him to mind anyway. Happy and blessed Fourth.
I should have mentioned the U.S.A. Trilogy!
Very well said, as always.
In 1977 I was in Moscow and Leningrad. My blue jeans and poncho marked me as some kind of a wandervogel.
In the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow a contemporary sidled up and started a conversation. At the end of our visit he asked if I could gift him a pair of blue jeans. I declined as I needed them for my journey, but offered to send him a pair by mail when I returned home. He replied, “Thank you, but it would be too dangerous to receive a package from the West.”
Later a fellow approached me on Nevsky Prospect in Leningrad and struck up another conversation. He asked if I’d read The Russians, by Hedrick Smith. (As it happened I had.) He acknowledged, “It’s all true, to our misfortune.” What a treat to tell him that, although I’d voted for President Ford, I supported President Carter’s efforts to hold the USSR to the Helsinki Accords.
Never, never, never take the blessings of this country for granted.
And don’t even think about leaving the USA in disgust. Before you do think of Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Okinawa and Khe Sanh, as well as all the other blessings catalogued by Mr. Nordlinger. Better you let them pry the USA out of your cold, dead fingers!
Have a Happy 4th.
Thank you, George!
This was great. Thank you and Happy Independence Day!
Thank you!
Your post has me thinking of Ralph Peer. He was the "talent scout" credited with making country (hillbilly, if you prefer) music a nationwide thing. Peer did so much more in the field of "roots" music generally. Through his work, and immigration, today's sound of America is much richer.
Good to know!
Excellent piece, Mr. Nordlinger.
Thank you, CW.
Thanks for this inspiring reminder of this great land’s cultural bounty that we all share. Much needed in the midst of this Trumpster fire in which we are currently living. I do note the irony in your otherwise fine piece on Lift Every Voice written in the run up to the 2008 election where you said “If disaster occurs and Obama is elected, why not have “Lift Ev’ry Voice” at the inauguration? But the new president might be nervous about hints of separatism. It would be even better to have the song at a McCain inauguration.” Whatever one may think about the Obama years (I happen to think they were OK), they seem pretty tame compared to the extant crisis. Your words and references are soothing balm on this day. Thank you.
Many thx.
Wonderful post.
Happy Fourth.
You too, MG, thx.
Best. Fourth. Column. Ever.
It was superb.
Thank you, guys.
Thanks for the reminder of what it means to be an American, Jay. Those of us who are native born can't help but take being an American for granted - like a fish doesn't know he is wet. It's another reason that immigrants are so important, they know what a blessing it is to a citizen of this country. Happy Independence Day, sir!
Thx, TG!
I always enjoy the writing about music. I'm also thinking of the recent conversation with Mona Charen. Agee/Barber, Knoxville: Summer of 1915, words and music, including orchestration, is so moving. I first encountered it on a recording with Elinor Steber, William Strickland conducting.
Wonderful.
https://youtu.be/Nztp8QRJ6tg?si=qSB0HWPNBn6hA0_9
This country has never been materially better. Yet there is something from our past that we do not possess today.
Thanks, Jay, for getting Independence Day off on the right foot.
Thx!