It’s a relief to see this put into words, thank you. You’ve zeroed in on that constant tension I feel between a real love for my home and the pressure of a blind nationalism that wants my total allegiance. That idea of holding our ideals and our hard history in a "creative mutual orbit" is so helpful. It moves the goalposts from the exhausting question of "How am I supposed to feel?" to the much more tangible, "What am I called to do?" For me, that changes patriotism from an emotion into a kind of stewardship—the daily responsibility of loving my neighbors and tending to the small piece of the world I've been given, all with a hope that's been tested by truth but hasn't given up.
This is the only kind of patriotism that makes sense anymore—one that sees contradiction not as a bug, but as the very terrain of moral responsibility. If the 4th is to mean anything now, it must be a day of reckoning, not just remembrance. The question you posed—which will we honor, the Doctrine of Discovery or the Declaration of Independence?—cuts straight to the split at our nation’s soul. What most call freedom was built on erasure. What most defend as tradition was built on distortion. Until we’re honest about that—and stop confusing national identity with moral virtue—we’ll keep dressing up historical trauma in red, white, and blue.
Thank you for carving out space for grief, honesty, and fierce hope. Those of us who live clarity as our civic and spiritual duty are walking with you.
Take all the time you need to gather your collective wits. Trust me, we aren't going anywhere. We're here for the long run. Being mindful it is summer too, and folks have things to do in summer. Or maybe relax, pick wild strawberries and eat picnic food. Get a little sunburned and go to a county fair. Go and do. All of you.
Happy 4th y'all. Thanks for your leadership. Robby I'm going through your "Hidden Roots of White Supremacy" now (audiobook for the work commute) and it's really potent stuff.
It’s a relief to see this put into words, thank you. You’ve zeroed in on that constant tension I feel between a real love for my home and the pressure of a blind nationalism that wants my total allegiance. That idea of holding our ideals and our hard history in a "creative mutual orbit" is so helpful. It moves the goalposts from the exhausting question of "How am I supposed to feel?" to the much more tangible, "What am I called to do?" For me, that changes patriotism from an emotion into a kind of stewardship—the daily responsibility of loving my neighbors and tending to the small piece of the world I've been given, all with a hope that's been tested by truth but hasn't given up.
This is the only kind of patriotism that makes sense anymore—one that sees contradiction not as a bug, but as the very terrain of moral responsibility. If the 4th is to mean anything now, it must be a day of reckoning, not just remembrance. The question you posed—which will we honor, the Doctrine of Discovery or the Declaration of Independence?—cuts straight to the split at our nation’s soul. What most call freedom was built on erasure. What most defend as tradition was built on distortion. Until we’re honest about that—and stop confusing national identity with moral virtue—we’ll keep dressing up historical trauma in red, white, and blue.
Thank you for carving out space for grief, honesty, and fierce hope. Those of us who live clarity as our civic and spiritual duty are walking with you.
Take all the time you need to gather your collective wits. Trust me, we aren't going anywhere. We're here for the long run. Being mindful it is summer too, and folks have things to do in summer. Or maybe relax, pick wild strawberries and eat picnic food. Get a little sunburned and go to a county fair. Go and do. All of you.
We'll miss you, but fully understand the need for a break. C'mon back soon as we work out what it means to be God's people here and now. Shalom!
Happy 4th y'all. Thanks for your leadership. Robby I'm going through your "Hidden Roots of White Supremacy" now (audiobook for the work commute) and it's really potent stuff.