America250 is here. Will it be used to celebrate an aggressively patriotic version of American history? Maybe. Will it be used to paint American history as all sunshine and rainbows? Probably. In fact, it’s already happening. The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is upon us, whether we think it’s the time to celebrate it or not. Aggressively political groups and individuals on both sides of the political spectrum are already taking advantage of the momentous occasion to pursue their own versions of history. Take, for instance, the relatively newly established Freedom 250 organization set up by the Trump administration. This, and many like it, are spreading their version of American history far and wide.

But America250 doesn’t have to be celebrated this way, and it shouldn’t be. Local, city and state organizations — like Pennsylvania’s America250 organization, America250PA, and St. Joe’s America250@SJU program — offer the ability for people to get involved in America250 without consuming an overly polarized version of American history. Groups like these are where America250 should be celebrated. I recently attended the first America250@SJU event, a screening of the movie “High Noon.” Yes, it was in black and white. Yes, it was something I never would have watched if it wasn’t for the event. However, it helped me see how America250 should be celebrated.

We weren’t pushed with overly politicized views. We weren’t told American history was perfect, nor were we told that it was terrible. We were simply watching the movie and were left to form our own opinions. What did I get out of it? One thing was that people in the 1950s were obsessed with movies about cowboys, horses and saloons. But that’s besides the point. America250 is already upon us, and we’re going to be hit with the views of other people left and right. The only way to make sense of all of this is to get involved, attend an event and see it all for yourself.