With Liberty and Justice for All

It’s the 4th of July and the lake is hopping with activity. As I lingered over my omelet, avocado toast, and coffee on the screen porch, my eyes wandered toward the lodge where I saw a strange sight. A golf cart with a large inflatable pink flamingo on its roof was moving up the drive.

That was surprising enough, but then there was another, draped with an American flag. That was followed by another and another and another. With streamers, blowups, flags and more, the parade was 15-20 golf carts long. I called to the girls (who were inside playing “Catopoly”) to come out and take a look. We concluded they must have come from a nearby resort.

“The girls” in our cabin have now doubled. Bill, William, and Zach left for home this morning, and since our cabin is larger (it sleeps eight), we invited Beth, Nicole and Elise to stay the second week with us. Tom was outnumbered before, but now he’s really surrounded. We are grateful for his tolerance and flexibility.

We spent a lazy morning (whole day, actually), around the resort and in the cabin. Around midday, there was another parade to watch. A long line of boats (pontoons, fishing boats, speed boats), cruised slowly by the resort not far from shore. They proudly honked their horns, wearing their patriotic colors.

The lake buzzed with activity all day, as skiers, jet-skiers, tubers, and pontoons took advantage of the steamy weather. Kids enjoyed the freedom of kayak rides, walking the slackline, and lounging in the hammocks.

I spent much of the day reading. I finished Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah. This is an excellent read in which the late-night comedian recounts his personal struggles growing up during, and immediately after, apartheid in South Africa. It is funny, shocking, and eye-opening all at once. Woven throughout is a beautiful tribute to Noah’s strong, Black, Christian mother.

Reflecting on this book on the day our country celebrates independence and freedom, made me keenly aware of parts of the world and in our own country where freedom–where “liberty and justice for all”–is not the same for all people. It revealed to me the importance of providing access to opportunities across all races and classes.

There are many parts of the book that will stick with me, but here is one: after one of Trevor Noah’s friends gifted him with some electronic equipment, he was able to start a small business that allowed him to survive. I continue to think about his perspective on this seemingly small, but life-changing act of kindness.

People love to say, “Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” What they don’t say is, “And it would be nice if you gave him a fishing rod.” That’s the part of the analogy that’s missing. Working with Daniel was the first time in my life I realized you need someone from the privileged world to come to you and say, “Okay, here’s what you need, and here’s how it works.” Talent alone would have gotten me nowhere without Daniel [giving me the gift]. People say, “Oh, that’s a handout.” No. I still have to work to profit by it. But I don’t stand a chance without it.

How many people in our country and around the world “don’t stand a chance?” Can I step in and make a difference? Is there something I can do?

I believe there is. There are seemingly small acts of kindness that can make a significant impact on individual lives. And there are organizations and policies I can support that will make a difference in the systems affecting many lives. I will continue to listen and look for these ways I can make a difference.

As I enjoyed my many freedoms–picnic with the family, fireworks over the lake, and s’mores around the campfire–I felt a disconnect. While grateful for the “liberty and justice” I’m so freely given, I can’t fully receive this gift without wanting the same for my Black and Brown brothers and sisters.

We are, after all, “one nation, under God, indivisible.” So why does it feel lately like we are two nations? And how does our Creator feel about our divisiveness?

I’m going to keep working and praying for “liberty and justice for all.”