Yo, Miss! (No. 50)

Reflections on The Fourth of July

I have been teaching United States History at a NYC public high school for 22 years.

I educate my students about the complex and heartbreaking but also inspiring history of the United States of America.

I see people posting that the United States is already over. I see people encourage their followers to give up and not vote because both sides are bad. They say it all needs to be torn down.

I refuse to give up on this country.

I look at the faces of my students every year, many of whom are new immigrants to this country, and I refuse to give up on them and their families who went to great lengths to come to the United States.

I understand the frustration with everything. But, we must remember that if we give up now, we give up on these kids and the people who fought to make the USA a more equal nation for all.

Also, if you successfully burn it all down then what happens to the kids? What happens to the legacy of those who came before us? What happens to the rights that are protected now, albeit in need of stronger protections? Everyone needs a refresher on who often takes over when chaos convulses a nation: an authoritarian leader.

Yes, America is not perfect and many are hurt by the structures designed to keep white men in power and others disenfranchised. And I understand that people are frustrated by the two party system, but the two parties are not “the same” right now. They are not even close. And a third party has never won an election in U.S. History.

@saribethroseTHIRD PARTIES IN U.S. HISTORY: The Populist Party #history #ushistory #apush #historytok #teachersoftiktok

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Whether the candidate is President Biden or someone else, please encourage your undecided friends to read Trump’s Agenda 47 and Project 2025. Here’s a link to it and my video on it:

Ask your undecided friends or associates if that is what they want for Americans? (I am going to guess unless they are very wealthy white Christo Fascists, this plan does not benefit them.)

Then encourage them to vote for the Democratic ticket down the line

We must penetrate through the noise of the hysterical headlines, the breathless cable news coverage, and the cynical creators on social media looking for clicks and likes without any pragmatic plan for the day after when they burn it all down.

This involves measured and authentic conversations with your neighbors and community members. You’re not going to convince people in the comments section. Get off the screens and talk to undecideds IRL.

So, Happy Fourth of July and Happy 100th Birthday to the Caesar Salad.

@saribethroseHappy 100th birthday to the caesar salad. The OG girl dinner (w fries and an extra dirty 🍸) #4thofjuly #lanadelrey #nationalanthem #caesarsalad

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