The Swampscott Senior Center’s creative writing class celebrated the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States by sharing original works alongside readings by other authors.
The 250th anniversary of the United States, often called the U.S. Semiquincentennial, marks 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The anniversary commemorates the nation’s founding and offers an opportunity to reflect on its history and ideals. The Senior Center’s creative writing class shared poems, free-verse pieces and songs that both celebrated the country and questioned its current course.
“This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Its main philosophy is that all men are created equal. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are the goals set forth, to be attained without political bias” Audrey Phelps started the event by sharing. “It is our honor and desire to celebrate this occasion with patriotic writings, pertaining to man’s freedom from tyranny and to share our thoughts.”
Wednesday’s event was the fourth literary reading presented by the creative writing class in the past four years, according to instructor Kathy Montejunas.
The featured creative writers were:
- Kevin Lyons
- Dorothy Bergevin
- Richard Frenkel
- Dee Renaud
- Ralph Edwards
- Claudia Orleans
- Audrey Phelps
- Vince Carotenuto
- Rosalie Kaufman
The readings ranged from Kevin Lyons’ look at American history — delivered while dressed in colonial-era attire — to Audrey Phelps’ poem “No Kings,” Dee Renaud’s experts from the musical Hamilton, and personal reflections on the Declaration of Independence from Vince Carotenuto, Richard Frenkel and others.
“The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents of all human history,” Frenkel said. “The fight for liberty is never won. Every generation is committed to its defense.”
Ralph Edwards wrote a poem titled “There are No Blacks in Africa, No Whites in Ireland, Italy, Greece.” Edwards explored what he described as the hypocrisy surrounding the Declaration of Independence and the way history is taught.
“Race does not exist. No biological science, no DNA, gene or other verification. Race does not exist,” Edwards said. “Yet we experience its daily repercussions, a nefarious concept.”
Rosalie Kaufman also shared quotations about freedom and politics from Benjamin Franklin and former Presidents Harry Truman, James Madison and Ronald Reagan.
The program concluded with patriotic-themed bingo featuring words such as “president,” “tea,” “majority,” “king,” “USA,” “Adams” and “independence.”
