What will July 04, 2025 look like?

In two days American's will celebrate the July 4th holiday. But with great fear among many of us, that this will be the last celebration of a democratic America.

November's elections will determine our future.  

I've been posting articles around July 4th for many years.  Below is what I posted in 2022, with a few updates.

Today millions of Americans are celebrating the founding of this country, while millions also are wondering when freedom and full rights of this country are available to them. Even more are fearing that freedoms that have been gained are now being taken away.

Many are sharing the quote from Benjamin Franklin, who said something like "It's a democracy, if you can keep it."

I'm often reminded of the image at the left. Is the person trying to stop a boulder from rolling downhill, to destroy everything below? Or is he trying to push it uphill, to achieve some lofty goal? 

Maybe both.  As you celebrate today, which role are you taking?

I've posted several "4th of July" articles in the past.

Below are a few concept maps that point to resources in my library that you and others can use to better understand the challenges we face and the opportunities that exist.

The many challenges we face: https://tinyurl.com/TMI-Potus46-to-do-list

Here's another view of challenges. http://tinyurl.com/TMI-civic-engagement

This concept map points to articles in the Tutor/Mentor library. https://tinyurl.com/Law-Justice-Poverty-Links

Since my focus for the past 30 years has been to help organized, volunteer-based tutor, mentor and learning programs grow in areas of persistent poverty, helping kids move from first grade through high school and into college and beyond, I've added another concept map from my collection.

This concept map shows challenges facing youth in high poverty areas as they move from birth to work. 



The challenges shown on this map are also shown on the  "POTUS TO-DO" list map shown above.

Getting people to vote has to be a priority over the next four months and next 40 years!  Look at the work Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II is doing to unite poor and infrequent voters of every color, not just Black and Brown Americans.   

Let's mobilize our power! Today, we’re having a #MoralMarchOnWashington & then working to reach 15 million poor & infrequent voters who can, in fact, be a major swing vote that can transform the political landscape in this country. #PoorPeoplesCampaign https://t.co/t2KWlhH54g

— Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II (@RevDrBarber) June 29, 2024

Look at the Twitter (X) feed for Dr. Barber, and see the ideas  he is sharing.  

As you gather with friends and family, or sit alone in your home, I urge you to take time bookmark these resources, then later take time to dig into the websites and articles I point to. Find ways you can help preserve and improve on what the founders created over 200 years ago.

Happy 4th of July.