Celebrating history, community and shared ideals

Posted 7/2/14

It’s easy for our collective attentions to focus on the negative. A still lagging economy, grim developments in Iraq and Syria, daily stories of tragedy and loss, both far from and close to home …

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Celebrating history, community and shared ideals

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It’s easy for our collective attentions to focus on the negative. A still lagging economy, grim developments in Iraq and Syria, daily stories of tragedy and loss, both far from and close to home – for Rhode Islanders, and for all Americans, the cacophony of troubling news can at times feel overwhelming.

This week, however, we will together break from our routines and pause for a moment of celebration, one rooted in history, community and shared ideals.

The Fourth of July affords us an opportunity to truly embrace the positive, to revel in our freedom and way of life – to acknowledge, through word and deed, what makes the United States special, and that for which we, as Americans, have to be thankful.

Other holidays provide moments for thanks and reflection – Thanksgiving and Memorial Day in particular – but the Fourth is truly unique. Children are out of school, weeks of summer still lie ahead and many have made plans to travel or enjoy the outdoors. This is the time of year to which we look forward most during the cold days of winter.

It is fitting that this celebration comes as our election season begins moving into full swing. Candidates for governor have already taken to the airways with campaign advertisements. Those vying for local offices have submitted their declarations of candidacy, and party committees and organizations have started issuing their endorsements.

The success of our democratic system depends foremost on two factors – the willingness of citizens to participate, and the willingness of candidates to step forward. Neither is without complication. For citizens, apathy and cynicism may discourage them from following the races and visiting the polls. For prospective candidates, the level of scrutiny faced in today’s digitized and increasingly unforgiving spotlight may deter them from seeking office.

On the eve of the Fourth of July, as Rhode Islanders ready for a weekend filled with cookouts, fireworks and relaxation, we applaud those who have stepped forward into the public arena and those who commit themselves to being involved in the process. We may, this week, momentarily turn our focus from the troubles and challenges we face, but let us not forget the obligations we have to one another – and to preservation of the American experiment.

We wish all our readers a happy, and safe, holiday.

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