Celebrating what unites us today

We need more fireworks this Fourth of July. More barbecues and extra apple pie. We need songs by Lee Greenwood, Ray Charles and anyone else who sings about their love for America played even louder this year.

At a time when America feels so divided, America’s birthday deserves a bigger bash than ever.

Our annual celebration of freedom offers an important reminder that no matter our political, religious or cultural differences, we are united by our shared pursuit of American ideals.

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

These are the “unalienable rights” spelled out in the bold document that gave voice to our revolution and rise to our nation. And don’t forget the “self-evident” truth that “all men are created equal.”

Our Declaration of Independence was written and signed by imperfect men who, despite their flaws, managed to lay the groundwork for the greatest country this world has ever known.

It may not feel that way to many Americans today.

To some, celebrating Lady Liberty’s call to “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” feels misguided at a time when our country has separated migrant children from their families — and can’t seem to get them back together.

To others, freedom of speech may not feel real if wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat keeps you from being served at a restaurant.

To people of color, equal rights may not feel so equal when you’re reminding your children to be extra cooperative when interacting with police.

And to those who enjoy displaying the American flag on their clothing or cars, it may feel outward expressions of patriotism are not always so welcome.

As we gather for picnics this Fourth of July, we may find ourselves choosing between the table of people who support a border wall and the one where people think we’re facing the end of democracy as we’ve known it.

But we’ve got to find a way to better talk to one another, especially to the people we most cherish. There have to be areas where we do agree. Let’s start there. Today.

Though our differences seem daunting and personal to the core, the Fourth of July reminds us we are fortunate to live in a country that protects our right to be different. And our government is built for us to work through our differences peacefully, for the good of us all.

We’re a country designed to demand equality, though our founders included slave owners.

We’re a country built by hard-working immigrants, who continue to be drawn to our land of freedom and opportunity.

We’re a country that divvies up its powers to avoid the kind of tyranny that can descend from red-coated soldiers or overreaching executive orders.

And we’re a country that settles our differences through public debate, the courts and the voting booth — not by the violence that engulfs so much of the world.

For all our frustrations with whomever resides in the White House today — or with what Congress is or isn’t doing — this is our country, with a government established by the people and answerable to the people.

Our nation has been through tough times before. And history shows we move in the direction of progress, of things getting better.

But it takes informed citizens willing to engage.

As Ronald Reagan once warned, freedom is one generation away from extinction.

Let’s not waste the opportunity to celebrate it here today.

And trust us on the fireworks thing. Editorials are the opinion of the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board and written by one of its members or a designee. The Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Rosemary O’Hara, Andy Reid and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson.