'Happy' Independence Day

So today, November 15th, is Palestinian Independence Day. We have the day off. If we were in the States we’d do it up big. There would be cookouts. There would be fireworks. We’d get the Model A out and polish it up for cruise down main street with flags blazing on the bumpers. But here there are no such festivities. As an outsider, as an American, it’s an odd feeling. To be polite I wish my friends here “Happy Independence Day.” This just doesn’t seem to work though. It’s not a very happy day. It’s not a very independent country. So in the end it’s probably more fitting to say “Have a nice day off.” At least that has a sort of positive sound to it since the most common response I get to “Happy Independence Day” is “What Independence?”

I was at my friend Trey’s house last night and he actually had a copy of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence. It was the first time I’d ever laid eyes on it. It was the first time I realized such a document even existed. As I thumbed through it I was struck by the beautiful language. I was most struck by how similar the wording was to our own Declaration of Independence. I’d post the text here for you all but it’s rather lengthy. So unless you’re a high school history teacher like me and you get your jollies off reading the declarations of other nations don’t bother to Google it, just take my word for it. It really reads much like the words penned by the Founding Fathers of the U.S.

I know there’s a lot more to gaining independence than writing fancy words. Some might say this document isn’t worth the paper it’s written on without concrete actions to back up. But my thoughts as I drove away from Trey’s house, past the Nativity church and through manger square tonight were simple. Mandy has kids in her class who have never seen the ocean. Shouldn’t every 10 year old kid have the right to see the ocean? There are certain human rights that I believe are unalienable. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness weren’t notions concocted merely to apply to Americans. We all have those rights. When I say “we” I mean we as humans. If a people declares themselves to be free shouldn’t we support that, at least on paper? Isn’t that what our forefathers fought and died for? Isn’t that what our fathers and grandfathers risked and gave their lives to protect? Can this notion of self rule, and respect for freedom be applied to all peoples, not just our own?

So I’m going to go on wishing my Palestinian brothers and sisters “Happy Independence Day” not because it sounds good, or even makes them feel good. I’m going to do it because I want to be someone who recognizes the fact that the rights to which I pledge my allegiance are applicable not only to myself but to all peoples who so nobly desire. And in so doing I pray that one day November 15th will truly be a happy day.