The first, of course, is a re-reading of Fenzel’s classic, The 10 Best Things About America I Learned from Independence Day. I return to this article (originally written in 2008, and revised and re-published a year later) annually, and each time I find something new to enjoy. For these politically fractious times, consider:
In Independence Day, the characters treat diversity the way I think and hope most Americans do — every once in a while, a little sideways look or a laugh, but overall, a discovery of one another that doesn’t seek too hard to change us, and a sublimation of the stereotypical to the iconic.
That is, the first thing we laugh at about a person becomes the first thing we remember, relate to and care about, and that remembering, relating and caring turns out to be more important than the eventual resolution of our disputes and differences.
And if you’re still looking for something to do between the fireworks and the BBQs and the liberal application of sunblock, here’s a little bit more reading to tide you over.