Independence Day is coated in sunny afternoons, barbecue cookouts, red white and American true blue flags flying in the wind with colorful fireworks lighting up the night sky. As a Chicano-American, I have a different perspective on the fourth of July. Being American is a remarkable thing. I have so much to thank my country for that it is unimaginable the things I can do for it when I leave college. It is also a time where I also pay homage to my roots and also show my Mexican-American pride, to prove that this land isn't simply America, but a nation built on the backs of immigrants from all over the world both in the past and today. Many people have the image that Independence Day is another holiday to celebrate having a three day weekend and party when in fact it is a time to thank those who built this country before it, remember those who protect it, and reflect on how to preserve it as citizens of the future.

Many seem to forget that the United States, as diverse (or non-diverse, depending on your perspective) as it is, still relies on the immigrant population to do the hard work of keeping this country running. In America today, there are more immigrants in farm and agriculture than the entire population of those who aren't. All the while many others blame immigrants for taking jobs. Well, it's not true, since those jobs were there for the taking but no one realized it until it was made known to them. So, when thanking Jesus for the food on the table, don't forget Jesús for picking those fruits on the table too.

Independence Day is not a holiday of immigrants leaving the UK to form their nation, but a time to thank those who keep our independence and all our freedoms from enemies foreign to our lands. War or violence isn't the answer to many of the modern political and social qualms in our modern world. When politicians or other special interests attempt to protect the safety of the majority, those who sacrificed themselves by being on the front lines for the apparent greater good should be honorably recognized and be respected for the actions they performed, and not the reasons behind them.

As our nation gets older, our ideas, policy, people, attitudes, and society drastically change for better or worse (as we can clearly see from the presidential race this year) and often this leads to a very harrowing conflict of interest in a time where people should be headed for the future. Since the Founding Fathers, Mothers, Men and Women declared their independence from the U.K. in a very distinct manner, the attitude has always been, "How can we make the present situation better?" Now, there is a whole slew of problems in this day and age and not enough people are asking the same question: "How can we make this present situation better?" To make this a better country, it starts with you. Every individual can make a difference in making this country better than it already is without the use of any full political commentary or means of aggressive tactics. Not only that, the amount of change in effective leadership can increase the positive influence of change.

This Independence Day, think about what should be done now and for the future. Think, believe, lead, and listen, even if no one is around. It is necessary as individuals with leadership and intelligence to become owners of the next chapter in the United States.