American Spring

“America 2026” by Victor Pourcel

Summer 1996

It’s hotter than the devil’s armpit in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I’m at the local swimming pool’s annual 4th of July party. My whole neighborhood comes out to join in the festivities. There are contests - three judges sit by the diving tank and determine who can make the biggest splash or the best belly flop. At one point the pool is cleared out so the master of ceremonies can smear Vaseline all over a giant watermelon. He throws it in the pool. That’s the signal! A crowd of kids jump in and a mad melee ensues. Winner is whoever can throw the greasy watermelon into a basket. A big teen boy is always the winner, I’m a small-for-my-age 10 year old. I know I have no chance to win but it’s fun anyway.

Image courtesy of 20th Century Fox.

Of course there’s a barbecue with hotdogs and hamburgers but the potluck is my favorite. Southern staples like cornbread and potato salad can’t be missed. But for me the highlight is desserts - every conceivable form of cake and cookie. Someone always brings a sheet cake with white frosting, lovingly topped by berries in the form of the American flag. 

I am living in the greatest country in the world. The movie “Independence Day,” starring Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum, has just been released in theaters and life is good.

Movies of the 90s were better and that’s not just nostalgia. Disney animation was firing on all cylinders. “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King” were all released within three years of each other! 

And the summer blockbusters! Oh my goodness! That art form reached its peak in 1996 and I will not be convinced otherwise. Remember when movies used to be filmed on actual physical sets, or even on location, with human actors and lighting? Sure the actors were mostly conventionally attractive (less so for men) but they still looked unique and real and you could even see them sweating when a scene called for it. Think about it, when was the last time you have seen sweat in a movie?

That same summer, my family hosted an exchange student from France named Philippe. He thought “Independence Day” was ridiculous, particularly how it portrayed the President. “The President, he is all,” Philippe said. “He can fight, he can fly airplane, why?” The question itself confused me. Obviously the President of the United States is a devilishly handsome combat pilot who leads the world in the fight against aliens. Nothing could be more natural than that. 

A KGB spy and a CIA agent meet up in a bar for a friendly drink. "I have to admit, I'm always so impressed by Soviet propaganda. You really know how to get people worked up," the CIA agent says. "Thank you," the KGB says. "We do our best but truly, it's nothing compared to American propaganda. Your people believe everything your state media tells them." The CIA agent drops his drink in shock and disgust. "Thank you friend, but you must be confused... There's no propaganda in America.”

(^Definitely not propaganda)