After Kaep Bashes Historic Flag, 13 Children Become US Citizens at Betsy Ross House
Earlier this week, we learned that former quarterback-turned-social-justice-warrior Colin Kaepernick had somehow convinced Nike to cancel the release of a patriotic shoe design featuring the 13-star Betsy Ross flag.
Days later, something beautiful happened on the Fourth of July in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
For the 15th year in a row, a group of 13 children were sworn in as America’s newest citizens at none other than the famous Betsy Ross House.
According to KYW News Radio, the annual swearing-in event is complete with an honor guard decked out in colonial-era garb.
Various civic and youth groups also attend the event, as do politicians, including the mayor of Philadelphia — all of them welcoming the children as citizens of this great nation.
At the #BetsyRoss House in #Philadelphia, 13 kids (1 for each original colony) from around the world take their oath of American citizenship every year on #4thofJuly. It’s a fitting place to welcome new Americans. https://t.co/wM7BNZREAu
— Lisa Haynes (@chromawords) July 4, 2019
Perhaps the most emotional part of the entire ceremony is the traditional ringing of the bell, as each of the 13 children — one for each of the original 13 colonies — ring it.
And guess what?
Nobody there connected Ross, her house or anything else symbolizing our nation’s origins to slavery or racism.
As WPVI noted, liberal Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney spoke at the ceremony and didn’t inject politics into his speech.
Instead, he took the high road and made it all about the children, which is more than commendable.
“It’s truly special that you are all becoming citizens on Independence Day — nearly a block from Independence Hall, the birthplace of our country that you can now call your own,” Kenney said.
“We know that we are a more vibrant city because of our diversity, and look at the beauty of the diversity sitting here today.”
The children ranged in age from 6 to 12 years old.
At this year’s ceremony, five of the children were from the Bade family.
“Their father, Fode, was a political refugee from Guinea. He received asylum here in 2005 and was thrilled to see his children become citizens,” KYW noted.
To say he was proud of his children on Thursday would be an understatement.
“When I came here, they give me everything that I need and give me all opportunity. I’m so grateful to this country,” he said.
“I hope the best for this country, for all American people, and may God bless America and make America the top for the world forever,” Bade said.
The Bade family’s story, as well as their father’s genuine appreciation for America, are refreshing, to say the least.
It must be a dream come true for him and his children to be provided opportunities they probably never would have received in their home country.
While Kaepernick and certain progressive lawmakers continue to try and divide America using race, it’s good to know that there are plenty of people out there who aren’t taking the bait.
Democrats even argue that President Donald Trump, his administration and conservatives in general are anti-immigration, and they often pull the race card to back up their claims.
But that’s not remotely true.
We absolutely want immigrants to come to America, but we want them to do it the right way, like the Bade family did.
If migrants would follow their example, we wouldn’t have a massive, public outcry being fueled by radical liberal lawmakers on the immigration issue, which only ends up hindering real progress and solutions.
Hopefully, the swearing-in tradition at the Betsy Ross House helps people remember that Ross and the brilliant flag she created was far from “racist,” no matter what a race-baiter like Kaepernick wants you to think.
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