Post-election season in America seems more contentious than ever before. I naively thought that with the 2024 presidential election behind us, life would fall back into its rhythm, and the pictures of dogs, babies, and food would take over Instagram once again. Instead, half my friends on social media turned their profile pictures black to show that they were in mourning, and the other half can’t stop posting Trump memes. It feels like everything is still polarized, and I’m tiptoeing quietly around friendship landmines, not sure who voted for what and not wanting to ignite any debates.
Recently, however, I attended an event in Edenton, North Carolina, that — refreshingly — didn’t feel like it was wrapped in politics or controversy.
The event, held on Oct. 25 and 26, was to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Edenton Tea Party. In 1774, the women of Edenton, following the example and lead of patriots in Boston, protested what they considered to be unjust laws by boycotting British tea. This move was historic in nature as one of the first organized political actions by women in United States history.
To kick off the 250th-anniversary event, there was a parade led by bagpipes, which were followed shortly thereafter by fifes and drums. This stirred patriotism in my heart and made me feel proud to be an American and to stand with others to celebrate our country and history.
As many groups followed the patriotic sounds, each dressed in colonial garb and carrying the flags of our fathers, I noticed the lack of politics or political messages. I can’t think of the last time I attended a parade of any sort that didn’t have at least one politician in a convertible throwing out Tootsie Rolls. I stood shoulder to shoulder with people from all over North Carolina to celebrate our history, and there was nothing political about it. It was honestly refreshing.
My family and I then went all over historic Edenton, which is the oldest city in North Carolina and maybe the most sublime. We visited the historic sights, saw reenactments, and engaged with history. I had with me my seven- and five-year-old sons who were enthralled by our state’s history. It was truly an engaging experience, and they both came home and proceeded for several days to reenact in our backyard the historic events they had learned about — with some of their own artistic license, to be sure.
The celebration of the Edenton Tea Party is the first of many events that will be occurring across our state and nation for the next two years to celebrate the events leading up to our country’s founding and the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence. I look forward to attending more events throughout our state like the one Edenton hosted. It was a breath of fresh air in a time when everything feels contentious and a welcome reminder that there are events we can attend that feel free from politics and let us simply celebrate being Americans.
To learn more about the Edenton Tea Party, watch the John Locke Foundation’s new mini documentary, “A Letter to the King.”
