Cristin McCarthy Vahey

With the 250^th Anniversary of our nation celebrated this 4^th of July, I have a few thoughts about America’s 250^th to share with all of you. But first, please stay safe in this extreme heat. Our local libraries and senior centers are official cooling centers, with the most dangerous heat expected today and tomorrow. Check on your neighbors and pay attention to your own bodies as you move around in this weather.

In the rest of this week's eblast, you can read about America's 250th birthday, events around the district, and more.

You can click the links below to navigate between sections.

• Happy 250th Birthday, America!
• Around the Community
• Upcoming Community Events

I was searching my photos for a flag image to share with all of you and the search came up with a few thousand (!) photos that include the American flag. From Eagle Scout ceremonies to public hearings, parades, events at the Capitol, classrooms, churches, homes, including my own, war memorials, funerals, Veterans’ halls, clothing, protests, sports stadiums, the American flag is almost everywhere I go.

As someone who grew up outside Philadelphia visiting the Betsy Ross House and Independence Hall, the flag has always felt meaningful to me as a promise and hope, a symbol of freedom. With the 4^th at  hand, some are sharing the mixed feelings they have about flying the American flag and what it means to them. It is different for all of us.

These conversations remind me of two things. One is the Fredrick Douglas speech, “What to the Slave is Fourth of July.” A few years back NPR filmed a group of his ancestors sharing excerpts of his speech along with their thoughts on the world at the time. I invite you to spend 7 minutes watching these amazing young people share their great great great great grandfather’s words, but also their experience as black youth today.

I am also reminded of the amazing For Which it Stands exhibit, part of our America 250 celebrations, at the Fairfield University Art Museum. If you are interested in exploring your own feelings about the flag, seeing others’ perspectives and staying cool, go visit both parts of the exhibit. Start in Bellarmine Hall and end at the Quick Center where you can share your own thoughts. Museum Director Carey Mack Weber has curated a moving exhibit starting in the WWI era through the present day. There are 75 works in a variety of mediums that, as the Museum writes, “challenges viewers to consider who the American flag truly represents and whether justice is available to all.”

As Americans, it is up to us to continue to strive for liberty and justice for all. I hope you will join me this 4^th of July in celebrating the gift of one another as fellow Americans, whatever you might feel about our flag.

Over the past weeks, I have been privileged to meet with people in the community, attend events, and continue to discuss issues that impact residents. Congratulations

to Barnum Festival Ringmaster Tom McCarthy for an amazing year full of festival events and fundraising, culminating in the Barnum Festival Parade in Bridgeport last weekend. 

As always, please feel free to reach out directly with your ideas, questions, or concerns. You can reach me by phone at (860) 240-8585 or (203) 522-3037.

Take care,

Cristin McCarthy Vahey