EXCLUSIVE: Watch THESE Patriotic Movies On July 4th And Celebrate Our History!
ALSO: It's Trendy To Hate America. Stand The Test Of Time By Being A Proud American.
EXCLUSIVE Video Of The Week: Watch THESE Patriotic Movies On July 4th!
It's Trendy To Hate America. Stand The Test Of Time By Being A Proud American.
On June 26th, bronze-medalist hammer thrower Gwen Berry stood on the podium and turned away in anger while the national anthem played at the U.S. Olympic trials. A few days later, I took a trip with the Young America’s Foundation to visit Rancho del Cielo, Ronald Reagan’s home and ranch.
These two events could not have been more different.
Gwen Berry considers herself an outspoken activist of “systemic racism.” Despite growing up in a home of thirteen under the care of her grandmother, bearing a child at 15 years old, then attending college and achieving so much in her athletic career, Berry still seems to hate the country in which she found success.
Now, she literally plans to attend the Olympics representing a country whose national anthem she cannot stomach.
On the other side of the spectrum, we have Ronald Reagan and his ranch. Reagan lived in a very modest 1600 square foot home upon his property. When the roof leaked, he and his son fixed it. When he wanted a fence, he built it out of old telephone poles and used his own two hands. He would ride his horses every day and prepare them to ride himself. He would clear the brush around his property and lovingly take care of the land.
Reagan found pride in the land he owned and loved America. He loved what it stood for and the potential and opportunities it offered the people of this nation.
The difference is clear. Today, it’s trendy to hate America. But that’s all it is and should be - a trend.
America is the greatest country on earth. It stands for freedom, justice, and liberty. It was built on the best of values. Even if we don’t always live up to its credo, even if there is always work to be done, America is a dream for civilization that did and is always coming true, over and over.
And loving your country doesn’t mean ignoring its flaws. But just as with anything, you can only lift something to greatness through love. Hating America with the intent to change it doesn’t make it better - it will destroy what this country is built on and create something terrible in its place.
As we come up on July 4th this weekend, there is no question that loving America is not trendy. It’s not fashionable to look at the constitution as one of the greatest documents ever written. It’s not cool to unabashedly take pride in being a citizen of this great nation.
But my motto is as true here as it is anywhere else. Let’s be classic. Who will be remembered in American history in twenty years - Gwen Berry, the woman who hated America despite its opportunities, or Ronald Reagan, the man who loved America and made it even better? Let’s stand the test of time with our dedication to this country, to what it was, what it is, and what it will be. God Bless America!
Quote of the Week:
“America is a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.” - Ronald Reagan
What You Might Have Missed At Classically Abby…
Classic Style Inspo
Visiting the Reagan Ranch this week was absolutely incredible, but it definitely got a bit toasty up there! I beat the heat by wearing a dress with a light linen shirt tied over the top of it. I also threw on a sunhat to protect my face - no sunburns for me! - and a pair of sunglasses. This little outfit got so many compliments from my Instagram followers that I thought I would share it with my Substack crew. It’s so easy to throw on, so comfortable, and still so classic!
Things I’ve Been Loving: Fitbit Sense
I was recently given a Fitbit Sense as a gift - I think it was purchased on Amazon Prime Day so it was a bit more affordable - but I’ve really been enjoying wearing it! It’s more about fitness than it is about having a phone on your wrist, which is exactly what I like about it. It reminds me to get up and get moving, it tracks my workouts, and it tracks my sleep. I appreciate that it’s not an Apple watch or Galaxy watch because if I don’t have my phone near me, it’s usually because I don’t want to be distracted by it. But during the day, I sync it to my phone so if I step away to do something, if someone calls or texts, they can reach me. It’s my perfect level of functionality without letting technology take over my life. At this point in time, I really recommend it!
Welcome to Classically Abby!
I'm your resident #ConservativeInfluencer, cultural commentator, opera singer, fashionista, makeup artist, and wife with a classic take on the modern world. Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to see how! And together, let's be classic.