Fireworks are the shit!

There is something about the 4th of July. America’s independence. I’m not especially patriotic (Well, one of us isn’t particularly patriotic. The other is still somewhat surprised when tears well up in her eyes at the sight of crisp red stripes coupled with white stars on a navy background snapping in a high wind on a particularly beautiful day, even if that banner has been flown at terrible times; just ask the Indians). I recognize all the insane things this country does to dominate everyone we can, but I really do love where I live. It’s not like I don’t want to live anywhere else but on the 4th of July I often realize how exponentially lucky I am to be where I am and live the privileged lifestyle I do.
When people gather on bridges, in parking lots, and on the streets with a common interest of setting shit on fire, there is a certain element of camaraderie that can’t be ignored. When we all come together to celebrate, strangers quickly become acquaintances, and immediately we have something in common. Setting shit on fire and chanting ridiculously on a bus “USA! USA! USA!” That kind of excitement is contagious and people smile and start up conversations with complete strangers, it seems to make themselves feel less like they are being foolish all on there own.

But perhaps it isn’t foolish. Perhaps this ability to find comfort in a strangers laugh is just what we need to remind each of us that we are all human, together. That companionship and acceptance is longed for by all, whether we like to admit it or not, it is there. No matter how independent we try to teach ourselves to be, no matter how hard we try to close ourselves off to outsiders, as humans, we each desire a certain level of interaction. It’s the way we were built, designed, made, created; it’s in our genetics to crave company in some form or another. So when it comes to celebrating, as a nation we become friendly, outgoing, laughing at ourselves for no reason at all. And even if you don’t approve, it becomes somewhat of a task to remove yourself when everyone on your block is burning fuses and boundaries, and even the anarchists are getting drunk.