From a Washington Post column by Richard Danzig headlined “July Fourth is a time to sing our complicated country’s praises”:

The United States’ faults are so numerous, and the intensity and antagonism with which we fight over those faults so great, that we often forget the virtues of this country — and how our antagonisms reflect both our virtues and our faults.

Racism, sexism, inequality, hateful speech, climate change, battles over abortion, immigration and many other issues demand our attention. Amid this maelstrom, many Americans pine for the shared purpose of our Revolution, World War II and its aftermath.