July Retrospective: Independence Day, Washington-Style

We haven't written in a while, but it's not because we're not having fun! And seeing as we can't let ourselves get bested by CarrieAnn, let alone the Turners, who recently sent out what was essentially a year's worth of blog posts in a PDF (Lys, can you convince them to blog too?), it's time for some updates.

We celebrated July 4th DC-style. No, not with the big parade downtown, but rather DC's own hometown procession: the Palisades Parade.

Cherry wasn't feeling up to snuff that morning, so Xavier and I biked the four miles down to join our fellow denizens of Washington in celebration of our nation's independence. I sported my DC jersey while Xavier stayed cool in the outfit I got him in Tanzania.



Of course, July 4th is kind of a bittersweet holiday for Washingtonians because despite all the colonial indignation over "Taxation Without Representation" that's exactly what 600,000 of us are still stuck with more than 200 years later. For all the talk from certain political circles about the Founding Fathers and how we need to live up to and defend the principles of Constitution, one would think that perhaps these same people would take notice of and advocate correcting this blatant injustice.

But of course, these appeals to "American principles" are more self-serving than sincere, so the second-class citizens of DC (not to mention bemused foreign dictators) are left to point out this hypocrisy as best we can. Our own parade may not be the most effective venue, but it wouldn't be complete without the DC Vote folks, who had some great stickers. For those of you lucky enough to have Congressional Representation, please ask them to Let Washington Vote!

The essence of America is, it could be said, it's ability to invite and unite all peoples under a common banner. And let's be honest, without such a diverse and international flair we'd be a much more boring place. And without the three Bolivian dance troops who braved the heat in outstanding costumes and brought great music, the Palisades Parade would have been much less entertaining.

Same goes for the Different Drummers, DC's GLBT marching band.

I held Xavier during much of the parade to improve his view, but he got down and danced as the last Bolivians passed. This also led to our joining the parade shortly thereafter as a group promoting a basketball camp passed by, throwing out mini basketballs. Xavier got one and promptly took off down the street after their truck, which had a full-sized hoop in the back. (Have I mentioned that this kid loves basketball, as well as playing with balls of all types?) It was too cute, but alas, getting a photo was impossible as I caught up with him and we walked about two blocks down the road with the convoy.

The image of Washington is often a very staid one, but this belies the quirkiness that lies beneath all the seriousness. Exhibit A: the Patriotic Pirates, who regaled us with costumes and bad jokes on their signs...

...such as, "What do you get when you cross a zucchini and a pirate?"

(Sorry, I don't remember why the pirate crossed the road.)

Notwithstanding, it can't be denied that politics is infused in our psyche, and several groups demonstrated over various local issues, such as a university's expansion plans, gambling and potential health risks from buried WWI & II munitions under certain neighborhoods. But the largest group by far was composed of proponents of natural childbirth.

While we are clearly in their camp, I learned from them that midwives are practicing at a number of area hospitals as well the local birth centers. They also provided one of the more memorable moments of the parade as one of the marchers called out, "Do it vaginally, ladies!" This already awkward public statement was made even better given that she was looking at the small group of women standing next to us at the time, who were all easily in their mid-50's (and rather amused, to say the least).

After the last truck passed, carrying a band sponsored by the ACLU, Xavier and I cooled off with a sweet treat before heading home. (Can I help it that my bike happened to be parked right next to the ice cream man?)

Later that afternoon we went up to visit Xavier's other "Aunt Emily" and properly beat the heat in the swimming pool. Xavier, of course, had a blast.

Alas, our plans to head downtown and watch fireworks from the prime spot on my work's roof (which is just across from the Washington Monument) were foiled due to leaving the pool late and needing to stop for dinner. Nonetheless, picnicking and playing at a park nearby while fireworks echoed in the background sealed an enjoyable end to a day well-spent with family, friends, community and remembrance.