“That is what Freedom Sounds Like”

When then Vice President elect Mike Pence took is daughter and her cousins to see the Broadway production of “Hamilton,” they were greeted with some boos and some cheers. His comments afterwards:

“My daughter and I and her cousins really enjoyed the show. ‘Hamilton’ is just an incredible production, incredibly talented people. It was a real joy to be there,” Pence said.

“When we arrived we heard a few boos, and we heard some cheers,” he said, “I nudged my kids and reminded them that is what freedom sounds like.”

Beside being a class act, Pence reminded us that freedom isn’t everyone agreeing. Freedom is a place where all opinions can be said, discussed, and even turned into a hit Broadway Musical.

America is a place where ALL sides of a question can be on display. It’s a place where a play like Hamilton, filled will opinion and diversity, and be a hit and people of all opinions can go and enjoy.

This Fourth of July lets remember that when we hear differing opinions, that rather recoil in horror, we remember that with all its faults, America is the freest, most diverse, most innovative, country on earth.

We aren’t a place where opinions must be spoken in whispers, meetings are held in hidden rooms, and secret societies avail. Although if you want to do so, you can.

We need to remember that for some reason, immigrants from all over the world want to come to the US. They see it, compared to their homeland, as a place of opportunity. They risk everything to come and most thrive.

We can spend the other 364 days criticizing, complaining, and ‘taking to the streets,’ but on this day, America’s birthday, let’s remember that we are the least prejudiced, most supportive, most diverse, and frankly the place where the criticizing, complaining, and ‘street talk’ can take place. If you don’t believe that, then make a list of places where three hundred thirty million people live and thrive. It will be a pretty short list.

Happy Fourth of July!

JVH