A Reminder on the Fourth of July

By John Graham Seeliger

I was about 20 at the time, and a trainee journalist (we called ’em "cub reporters" back then) for the Johannesburg Star. Researching a story, I visited the offices of the Black Sash Society: a group of women who, draped with black sashes, would stand silent vigil in front of civic buildings each time the National Party government did something especially egregious regarding civil rights, treatment of Blacks, or nastiness in general.

While I waited, I read the wall. Newspaper clippings, photos, a picture of Helen Suzman, President Kennedy. And a framed copy of the Bill of Rights of the United States of America.

Of these ten amendments, no less than eight were illegal under the South African government.

From that instant, I knew where I wanted to live. I spent 10 years fighting the quota system to get here. (Ask me why I see red at Clinton’s "laissez-faire" illegal-immigrant policy.)

As soon as I was eligible, I studied for citizenship. We fly the flag on the Fourth. And on Memorial Day. And Flag Day. My wife, Stevie Crowley, calls herself an old hippie liberal, but she’s probably more conservative at heart than I am. She’s the one who puts out the Stars and Stripes, alongside the new South African flag.

It seems my "flight to freedom" convinced her that America is worth celebrating. Because here we can fly the banners we choose, without fear.