Independence Day 2012

Just a couple of days ago I read a poem translated into French by André Gide (1869-1951,) an author and winner of the 1947 Nobel Prize in literature. The poem was originally written by the Bengali philosopher Robindranath Tagore (1861-1941,) also a Nobel Prize winner in literature but for the year 1913 (the first non-European to win it.) I thought this would be an appropriate poem for the 4th of July for 2012 after hearing strong animosity in political speeches and much disinformation. (English version below.)

Là où l'esprit est sans crainte

Là où l'esprit est sans crainte et où la tête est haut portée,
Là où la connaissance est libre,
Là où le monde n'a pas été morcelé
entre d'étroites parois mitoyennes,
Là où les mots émanent des profondeurs de la sincérité,
Là où l'effort infatigué tend les bras vers la perfection;
Là où le clair courant de la raison ne s'est pas mortellement égaré
dans l'aride et morne désert de la coutume,
Là où l'esprit guidé par toi s'avance
dans l'élargissement continu de la pensée et de l'action -
Dans ce paradis de liberté, mon père, permets que ma patrie s'éveille.

- R. Tagore, traduit par Andre Gide

English version -

Where the mind is without fear

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.

- Rabindranath Tagore, 1861-1941 Indian Poet, Philosopher and Nobel Prize of Literature 1913

I would say “let my country stay awake.” The United States of America is a Republic and its sovereignty resides with its citizens. This sovereignty was given to them by the brave people who signed the Declaration of Independence and who risked being hanged for treason by the British government. The 4th of July is a celebration of freedom, but freedom is fragile and citizens need to stay vigilant to keep the country a republic and not to let it turn into a plutocracy (government by the wealthy – where a few wealthy rule.) “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. “ ~Thomas Paine

The 4th of July is a happy time. Everyone likes a parade and to watch the colorful fireworks -

Happy 4th of July to all!


"Fireworks” 4 July 1953 painted by Ben Kimberly Prins, Dutch born American, 1902-1980