Fractal art by the author, Deeann D. Mathews
I have mixed feelings about the Fourth of July ... you will never see me at the rah-rah celebrations for this day ... but I do always take time to thank the Lord that He has in His mercy allowed the United States of America to see another year, and have another year to get things right ... I am a loyal citizen in every way, and so long as I live here, I will work to the good of all fellow citizens the Lord puts in my purview of responsibility.
Last month at this time, my country was negotiating whether it was going to lift its debt ceiling and honor its obligations ... but we made it... another year, now, 247 years and still going ... I do thank God for the life of my homeland, and grit my teeth on the foolery, and KEEP GOING ... but as one might expect, my music choices reflect the conflict in my emotions...
What I love about Jimi Hendrix's interpretation is that you can hear the history of this anthem in many ways ... Francis Scott Key thought of it in the middle of the War of 1812, waiting to see if a fort had stayed in U.S. hands overnight ... you can hear the bombs bursting in ear and the sounds of conflict in Jimi Hendrix's version ... you can also hear the conflict the U.S. was in at that moment in 1969, and all the violence and conflict there had been since 1776 for people not in the class and race of slave owner Key to find their piece of the promises of this nation. The stories of the OTHER BRAVE people in the United States, the people who fought and have to keep fighting for every right men like Key took for granted and mocked those pursuing (see the third verse of the Star Spangled Banner), the stories of people like ME -- those stories are reflected in Jimi Hendrix's groundbreaking interpretation.
The thing about "Lift Every Voice and Sing" -- there is a good reason that it has been suggested to replace the existing national anthem. It does not have a troublesome third verse that mocks the ancestors of 50 million citizens, ancestors seeking freedom from being forced into cruel bondage -- it also, although certainly reflecting the journey of enslaved Africans to being African Americans, can be sung any group of people that had to struggle their way to the promise of this nation. It is also a lot easier to sing, and certainly matches up for beauty, especially in this grand arrangement by the great composer/arranger Roland Carter!
The work to secure the promise of the United States to all its citizens must continue from generation to generation ... we are at a moment of progress being rolled back and the nation flirting with not keeping its obligations with THE ENTIRE WORLD. I am a loyal citizen ... but not an idealist. I understand the assignment like those who came before me ... so I keep my eyes on the prize, hold on, and keep moving forward, this day and all days.
247 years on ... I do thank God that in His mercy, the United States gets one more year to get it right ... and I thank God He has allowed me to count my number with everyone fighting for what is right, for all of us. Being on Hive makes it easier, actually .. we create value that aligns with the promise for EVERYONE to have freedom of opportunity, speech, and freedom FROM needing to make chattel of others to be able to build something for ourselves. The promise of Hive and the promise of the United States make a beautiful harmony that I am working toward my fellow citizens hearing!
Just so we know on the legal part .... the linked videos are not owned by me, I am sharing just the link to the copyright owner's video. No copyright infringement is intended.
Used under fair-use section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976.