It is easy to forget how great this country is when bad things happen.
In honor of Independence Day, here is a quick list of 10 things I love about life here in no particular order.
If you feel inspired, send your list to me at arobinson@daytondailynews.com.
BBQ
Americans are far from cookie cutter and neither is our BBQ or BBQ sauce. BBQ is one thing (actually at least two things) in Texas, another thing is Memphis, something else in Kansas City and something completely different in North Carolina. But it is all American.
So much freedoms
Religion, due process, speech, assembly, the press… They are all so good that I can’t pick one. The Fourth of July with its fireworks, parades and picnics reminds me of those who have died for these rights and that independent American spirit.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando
It is awesome.
You can do it
"Making it" is much easier for some people than others, but in America, there are opportunities for people to rise despite dire circumstances. Author Antwone Fisher is the perfect example of this.
After a childhood in a foster home filled with verbal, sexual and physical abuse, the soft-spoken and funny Cleveland native found happiness in life and fatherhood and shared his story with others.
We don’t have to agree
We have a right to our opinions and to debate them. We can protest. We can beat our chests. We can change our minds.
Invention
Americans are people that do. We see a problem and find a solution or come up with solutions for problems we didn’t know existed.
Dayton is a city known for its thousands of patents beyond the airplane, one of the greatest inventions of all time.
Red, white and blue
What a lovely color combination.
You don’t have to get it right all the time.
It is possible to start, stop and restart in America, even if there are strikes against you.
Diversity
America is not a melting pot. We are — or at least many of us strive to be — a salad bowl where cucumbers live next to carrots next to eggs next to…
Everyone’s crispness should be appreciated.
We can leave
People who don’t appreciate America often have never been anywhere else or aren’t paying attention to how green the grass really is on the other side of the fence.
You can say “like it or leave it.” But really that’s no answer. I prefer “like it, leave it or make it better.”
Yes, let’s make it better.
Contact this blogger at amelia.robinson@coxinc.com or Twitter.com/DDNSmartMouth
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