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This Fourth of July, Michiganders will spend time with family, fire up the grill, and enjoy fireworks. But this is a special Fourth of July: This year we commemorate our nation’s 250th birthday.

American democracy is the longest continuous democracy in history. We’ve reshaped the world. The American flag is the only one on the moon, and Michigan-made cars are driven on every continent. A lot has changed about America, but the values that define who we are at our best have not. We are a strong nation of people from every part of the world united by a shared set of values ‒ freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

For many of us, however, love for our country is complicated by our feelings about the current state of national politics. As we continue to live through a moment of historic political division, I hope we can all recognize that the only way through our problems is together.

Dangerous times

At the same time, we’ve seen an alarming rise in extreme rhetoric and violence. Toxic algorithms and people with big platforms pit us against each other. Online rhetoric spirals into deadly real-life action, from a plot to kidnap and kill me to assassinations of state legislators and attempts on the life of the president.

Despite all this, I still believe in our ability to come together, get things done, and create a kinder world. Because in Michigan, we see it every day.

‘Small acts of grace and good humor’

It’s evident in our ability to work together in state government. I’ve signed almost 1,600 bipartisan bills. We’re feeding every public-school student free breakfast and lunch, creating tuition-free pathways for young people to go to college, and fixing the damn roads. Michigan is a model for the rest of the nation on how to get things done.

Understanding that every person at the store, on the street, or at school drop-off is just as complicated and important as we are, breaks down barriers between us. It makes it easier to see that we are all lucky to be Americans, bound together by a core set of values and obligated to treat each other with common decency.

‘We’re Michiganders and we’re Americans’

As governor, I am most proud of our character. We are known as a state of kind, welcoming people, and that is a legacy that we must advance and protect for the next 250 years. We must continue to work together to get things done that benefit every Michigander. We can and will be a model for the rest of the nation on how we can deliver transformative change in a divisive moment as long as we do not lose sight of what makes us, us.

More Op-Ed Highlights 

“This Fourth of July, Michiganders will spend time with family, fire up the grill, and enjoy fireworks. But this is a special Fourth of July: this week, we will commemorate our nation’s 250th birthday.” 

“A lot has changed about America, but the values that define who we are at our best have not. We are a strong nation of people from every part of the world united by a shared set of values—freedom, liberty, and justice for all.” 

“As we continue to live through a moment of historic political division, I hope we can all recognize that the only way through our problems is together.” 

“But despite all this, I still believe in our ability to come together, get things done, and create a kinder world. Because in Michigan, I see it every day.” 

“As Governor, I am most proud of our character. We are known as a state of kind, welcoming people, and that is a legacy that we must advance and protect for the next 250 years.” 

“We’re Michiganders, and we’re Americans, and those two titles carry with them an awesome responsibility to both do good and be good. On this Fourth of July especially, let’s recommit ourselves to both so we can leave behind a better world for our kids.”

If you missed Chris Holman’s interview with Governor Whitmer, check it out on YouTube: