Frederick Douglass, speaking at a Fourth of July event in 1852 commented, “I am here today, a matter of astonishment, as well as of GRATITUDE.  The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men.  They were great men…they were statesmen, patriots, and heroes.  They loved their country better than their own private interests."

 

Fredrick Douglass was not educated about slavery; he had been a slave!  He suffered the misery of slavery and made these remarks of gratitude while slavery was still active in America.  In no way did his words of gratitude diminish his disgust of the practice of slavery.  Following his words of gratitude, he added these words.  “Had I the ability, and could I reach the nation’s ear, I would, today, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke.”  But first, he expressed Gratitude!

 

The Declaration of Independence declared to the world that ALL men are created equal.  People from many countries, races, and religions have journeyed to America and desired to assimilate into the American way of life.  America became the melting pot of the world.  The influx of people from all parts of the world has been one of America’s strengths.  It has also been the source of many of its challenges.  It is in America that many of the world problems other societies have struggled with are eventually addressed and solved.  America is unique in using correct principles to solve such issues.  Two correct principles that America was founded on are; a belief in God, and a belief (as Frederick Douglass expressed), that a man should rise and fall by his own merit.  In America, citizens are given that opportunity.  America stands alone as a centennial to the world of freedom and good.  At times, it has been suggested that other free countries have a higher standard of living than America.  They may have shorter work weeks, or enjoy longer vacations and less stress.  But, not one of these countries enjoys the quality of life they do except for the presence of America.  If any of these countries had to provide for their own defense, one, they couldn’t, and two, they would lose the quality of life they now enjoy in diverting all their assets in “attempting” to have the sovereign way of life America's strength and support for them has allowed them to enjoy.  There is not an American, in fact, there is not a free person on this planet that does not owe a great deal of gratitude to America.

 

In the movie Lion King, Mufasa tells Simba, “You have forgotten who you are.  Look inside yourself Simba, you are more than what you have become.”  The sacrifices of our nation’s heroes are forgotten by many.  The standard of living we enjoy today has been the best in the world for so long that most do not know anything else.  America is at a crossroad!  It is essential that we do a better job of educating ourselves, our families, and the world in regards to America.  Yes, we have problems to solve!  Yes, many of the problems are plagues that no other people can or will address as America has and will continue to do!  Yes, at times, we will make blunders!  But in time, we will, as we have for centuries, be the country that eventually makes the world a much better place!

 

So before you find fault, before you complain about America, I would rather you first said…"Thank You, America!"