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both sides of the holiday
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Advance warning: this is a long article. Please read to the end / listen to entire video.
I know, you may have seen other headlines / articles highlighting problems in this country on Independence Day. It was a true, once-in-a-lifetime experience to be in Philadelphia (July 3 / 4) to celebrate America's 250. It was also a true honor to cover Celebration of Freedom at National Constitution Center (July 4).
It was an almost indescribable rush to see the world coming together. Various reasons, including 4th of July celebrations / World Cup, gave everyone a chance to experience this country's history. Opportunities to experience Philadelphia from planned events to everyday life. Kind of a special surprise, how organizations adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
Like events in other localities / states, parade (July 3rd) cancelled due to heat. Floats still went up Market Street, empty, in the morning. Someone told me it was like a ghost parade, completely agree. You could feel and almost see people / bands / organizations from the past on them. Bands from around the country did pop-up performance. Not only at Independence Hall but around downtown. Reading Terminal Market employee informed me one did a performance there. Honestly, this was better than a parade. Yes, it would have been great to experience representation from every state. Another conversation: Almost everyone has watched a parade, this was a definite surprise. Everyone involved made the best decision, at one point looked at my phone: 114-degree real feel in the afternoon.
Sitting at Independence Hall, had some time to think about other side of the holiday:
Reality check here: life doesn't stop for anything, including a special holiday / celebration. Walking the streets: homeless not bothering anyone (at least what I experienced / observed). Number of businesses open and people working almost blew me away. Even Reading Terminal Market (normally closed every holiday) was open. Look at headlines from July 4, we still killed each other / people were hospitalized / died from heat and weather-related circumstances. While expressing our freedoms, people / media still tried to divide vs. unite us. I think you get my point here.
Experiencing history come to life (Philadelphia / Coca-Cola Park), reminded me of how this country was built. Without modern technology / machines, our ancestors chose to evolve from ideas to the modern world. At our absolute best and worst, moments happen where we come together.
We still highlight our differences vs. everything we have in common. Especially through the media and social media, we make every attempt to divide / separate. Huge amount of credit to anyone who does the opposite. Unfortunately, you are very rarely given credit in those areas.
What will it take to finally bring us together as one species, as human beings? Look at each other without seeing skin color / sexual preference or orientation / religious or political views, etc.? Moments in time, like America's 250 celebration on the 4th of July, serious reminder we are one nation. We are capable of overcoming every challenge / difference / obstacle.
Take a few moments, stop and look at everyone around you. Don't look at what separates us; see the stories / lives that unite us.
I know, you may have seen other headlines / articles highlighting problems in this country on Independence Day. It was a true, once-in-a-lifetime experience to be in Philadelphia (July 3 / 4) to celebrate America's 250. It was also a true honor to cover Celebration of Freedom at National Constitution Center (July 4).
It was an almost indescribable rush to see the world coming together. Various reasons, including 4th of July celebrations / World Cup, gave everyone a chance to experience this country's history. Opportunities to experience Philadelphia from planned events to everyday life. Kind of a special surprise, how organizations adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
Like events in other localities / states, parade (July 3rd) cancelled due to heat. Floats still went up Market Street, empty, in the morning. Someone told me it was like a ghost parade, completely agree. You could feel and almost see people / bands / organizations from the past on them. Bands from around the country did pop-up performance. Not only at Independence Hall but around downtown. Reading Terminal Market employee informed me one did a performance there. Honestly, this was better than a parade. Yes, it would have been great to experience representation from every state. Another conversation: Almost everyone has watched a parade, this was a definite surprise. Everyone involved made the best decision, at one point looked at my phone: 114-degree real feel in the afternoon.
Sitting at Independence Hall, had some time to think about other side of the holiday:
Reality check here: life doesn't stop for anything, including a special holiday / celebration. Walking the streets: homeless not bothering anyone (at least what I experienced / observed). Number of businesses open and people working almost blew me away. Even Reading Terminal Market (normally closed every holiday) was open. Look at headlines from July 4, we still killed each other / people were hospitalized / died from heat and weather-related circumstances. While expressing our freedoms, people / media still tried to divide vs. unite us. I think you get my point here.
Experiencing history come to life (Philadelphia / Coca-Cola Park), reminded me of how this country was built. Without modern technology / machines, our ancestors chose to evolve from ideas to the modern world. At our absolute best and worst, moments happen where we come together.
We still highlight our differences vs. everything we have in common. Especially through the media and social media, we make every attempt to divide / separate. Huge amount of credit to anyone who does the opposite. Unfortunately, you are very rarely given credit in those areas.
What will it take to finally bring us together as one species, as human beings? Look at each other without seeing skin color / sexual preference or orientation / religious or political views, etc.? Moments in time, like America's 250 celebration on the 4th of July, serious reminder we are one nation. We are capable of overcoming every challenge / difference / obstacle.
Take a few moments, stop and look at everyone around you. Don't look at what separates us; see the stories / lives that unite us.
video article / editorial
sons of the american revolution
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