It was my 15th post-Fourth of July day as a resident of Federal Way, but this “day after” became more evident to me on that morning how our freedom was blemished by the disrespect by those who disregard the freedom of their neighbor.
Well a wild night it was in Federal Way, as the sounds of sirens, dogs barking and children playing grew louder as the sun went down. The air was visibly polluted with toxicity and with the smell of fireworks displayed by amateur, careless, law-breaking citizens. By the time I was about to say “buenos dias” to the day, I thought about the dream-like trip I had taken to Old Glory’s world of displays of her colors. But this time it was real from the get-go. This day after America celebrated her birthday, Old Glory was definitely gasping for some wind that would move her heart to wave her banner of freedom.
My first reaction was a sense of urgency to have a bowl of menudo soup. Metaphorically, I refer to this Mexican soup, in which it has been mythically coined in the Latino culture as “the breakfast of champions” because supposedly it cures hangovers. The ill feelings of what churned in my gut was a need for a cure that would ease my feelings, as if I was hungover from a wild stoop of celebration. Well, let me assure you that the ingredients of beef tripe, hominy and red chili, accompanied with its spices of cilantro, oregano and a twist of lime juice have not medically proven to bring such cure. However, it is still a dish of the Latino culture and it is cooked for special celebratory occasions — and it is definitely sabroso!
It is 9 in the morning when I take a short drive to see what the citizens of Federal Way woke up too. Reina, my Pomeranian dog, was still nervously yapping as she rode on her side of the truck, and I was beginning to yap as I drove around our city.
I thought of the hundreds of families that were left homeless because someone’s twisted interpretation of “bombs bursting in the air” meant to illegally display fireworks without thinking of the damage, destruction of property and even deaths.
Our fire and police departments did an incredible job in protecting and serving our city. In spite of the hundreds of calls these brave men and women received, many of them could have been prevented if residents would think twice before lighting up or drinking up.
I saw streets filled with confetti like paper from the fireworks that were illegally displayed. The sad part was to see some water buckets that were probably used as a “safety” precaution. A bucket that holds 2 gallons is not going to put the flames out on a roof that caught on fire by a mere sparkle. It might not even save the child that is waving a “safe” lighted sparkler.
In many blocks of the neighborhoods, one could assume that multiple families celebrated, which I thought, how many of these cul-de-sacs and streets get together to organize block watch groups, clean groups and even just friendly neighborhood gatherings to bring families together? Some don’t even organize a carpool for transporting their kids to school.
I must confess, as much as my neighbors think of me as the “neighborhood sheriff,” I still have not done enough. For example, I counted 31 cars in just this neighborhood of seven houses, yet there is not one school carpool organized for 19-20 kids. We all just wave to each other as we transport our own kids to the same school. My friend waving to each other and having an annual fireworks party is not enough; we need to help each make our neighborhood a safe and fun one every day.
Federal Way, it is time for us to crack down and rally together and stop this “invisible” form of violence that robs us of privileges to enjoy our country’s party with a legal bang but peacefully. Then, perhaps we can then enjoy some menudo soup, not because of over-indulgence of alcohol the night before, but rather because in unity, we celebrate truly the freedom of our country by doing it legally, peacefully and with the safety of others in mind.
Ya basta! Enough is enough.
