I was not looking forward to the Fourth of July this year. Recently, my patriotic feelings (often frayed at best) have been totally swamped by the ever-widening gap between the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the current attacks on the liberties and rights of many groups in this country.
Parades and fireworks and even barbecues seemed callous in the face of so much suffering at our southern border and in other places in our country and the world. I was tempted to just ignore the holiday — read a book, go to the movies and try to put it out of my mind.
Then, I learned that there was an opening on July 4 for a volunteer to serve as an accompanist for Lucio Perez who has taken sanctuary at the First Congregational Church in Amherst. And I had an answer. In the cool quiet sanctuary area of the church, I chatted with Lucio and his family members and other volunteers, and I reread parts of Rebecca Solnit’s book “Hope in the Dark.”
It was healing and encouraging to be able to make a small contribution to the safety of at least one immigrant. I am profoundly grateful that thousands of individuals and groups are fighting for the rights and safety of immigrant families.
In that context, I can feel patriotic — not by waving a flag — but by being in community with the “tired and oppressed” and all that support them.
Patricia Ramsey
Amherst