Mortimer George Creations

According to Wikipedia, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States.

Sounds like a pretty festive event will take place in the U.S. this weekend.  Parties galore, a day off from work for most everyone…Wait ! Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year which likely means we will be allowed an independent day from our employer on Friday or Monday as well.  Was that an oxymoron?  Let it sink in.

During a recent discussion with Andreas on writing a 4th of July post it didn’t take us long to agree that we are pretty much done with barbecue and beer reads linked to Independence Day, at least this year. It feels rather alien. I mean don’t get us wrong, we enjoy food, fun and fireworks.  Dre, a professional basketball player and 6′ 10″ certainly has not missed many meals. And during my last 2 years of eating Paleo-healthy, I certainly have not missed my one (or two) “cheat” meals per week, but this year seems, well, not very independent.  Before you come down on us for being Debbie-downers, please hear me out.  I will do my best to ensure this does not come across as a political, socio-economic rant.

So instead of a full-on tirade, lets just say this year has been tumultuous in the U.S. as it relates to relationships inside its diversified population.  I will not go into detail since this stuff is all over social media, the news and blogs. Smartphones have captured everything we need to know to conclude we are not yet an Independent nation.  Barbecue and beer is not enough when we witness hate crimes, church shootings, church burnings, police brutality, police resistance and obstruction, glamorized youth fighting videos, flags burning, red flags; a culture of racism…

All the while, people domestically and internationally of all nationalities, race and color are starving. They have no shelter, they have no water, no food, no love.  They. do. not. have…

Please don’t forego your barbecue and beer-experience  on account of this post, but the reality of it is we believe there is much more to life than waiting on an employer to announce an Independence Day holiday, then eating and drinking until we pass out on the couch; waking up and continuing our own little status quo lives.  It starts with intellect that is not enslaved. Material change of each individual’s learned prejudices, fears, and outdated beliefs of other human beings. That’s what the Evoke Socks movement is all about because in 2015, a day off, barbecue, beer and belching is simply not enough to claim national independence.  Change and charity starts internally with each of us!