Photo of American flag over a green field against a blue sky and clouds at sunset by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
by Kat Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins
My friends and I felt a bit “meh” about Independence Day and the United States’ 250th birthday.
Can you blame us? Many of our nation’s leaders are focused on destroying our democracy and all the progress we’ve made in 250 years.
If you’re a member of a historically underrepresented group (person of color, queer, living with a disability, neurodivergent, etc.) then you’re dealing with structural and institutional racism, sexism, ableism, and a lot of other -isms that have resulted in a lack of generational wealth and generational advantages on top of all the other challenges we Americans tackle every day.
But then I watched Disclosure Day, directed by Steven Spielberg, in which a wise character says, “Empathy is an evolutionary advantage.”
And came across this eloquent and timely essay by Roswell Encina, “What a subway ride with white supremacists taught me about America.”
We’re not going to walk away from fighting for the soul of the United States of America. We’re not going to abandon it.
It’s our responsibility to protect and preserve what so many courageous Americans have helped build over centuries. And yes, we must acknowledge the genocide of Native Americans, enslavement of Black Americans, and other atrocities against Americans of color that have been committed along the way. Then and now. We must make amends and vow to do better.
One day, we will get past this. One day, saner minds will prevail.
If you’re going through hell, keep going.
But we all need to do our part to get there. How can you contribute? What are your unique talents — your superpowers — that you can lend to a movement whose goal is liberation for all?
(Take comfort in “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley, which tells us that those who wear the “sneer of cold command,” who have zero empathy for their fellow human beings, will one day exist no more.)
Don’t be a nationalist. Don’t defend the decline of our country. Be a patriot. Fight for our values. Fight for what could be, and what should be.
Our future depends on it.
Need a “We Are The World” moment to soothe your soul? Here you go:
‘A brilliant reprieve, a unifying force’: America falls in love with World Cup by Christopher Mathias, The Guardian
Excerpt: “There’s also a harder-to-measure, more intangible reason for why Americans might be loving this World Cup. The tournament’s inherent internationalism has given Americans an outlet for a joyous multiculturalism under attack by this administration’s nationalism and isolationism. It has provided a stage for Americans to show the world: we are not our government.”
July 2026 Community Events
Looking for inclusive community events and programs? You’ve come to the right place. Here are a few.
This week, this month, this year: Free events at Poudre Libraries.
Now through early September: Holy Family Church 2026 Raffle. 326 Whitcomb St. Fort Collins CO 80521. License No. 2026-21192. Grand Prize: 2026 Chevy Trax. Second Prize: $1,000 Cash. Third Prize: $500 Cash. Fourth Prize: Ten $100 winners. Drawing Sunday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. at Holy Family Church. Winner need not be present to win. $20 per ticket. Contact Claudia at lore012545@gmail.com or (970) 310-6172.
Now through Aug. 13: AllReads 2026 Summer Reading Challenge. Three books. Any books. All summer. The reward? A pool party. Free to join. Open to all adults.
Now through Aug. 14: Poudre Libraries “Unearth a Story” (“Desentierra una Historia”) Summer Adventure. Free
Wednesdays through July 22: Lagoon Concert Series at Colorado State University. 6:30 p.m. Free
Thursdays this summer: Thursday Night Live music in Old Town Square. 7 p.m. Free
Fridays through August: Music on The Lawn, Foothills Mall. Free
Saturdays Through Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Larimer County Farmers Market. 200 W. Oak St.
July 17 For The Love of Strangers, Visit Fort Collins. 7 p.m. Registration not required. $10 suggested donation
July 21 Global Dining: Marcuz Filipino Restaurant. Fundraiser benefiting the museum. $70. Visit the Events page for more information.
“Join the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures for an unforgettable evening of food, culture, and community at Marcuz Filipino & International Restaurant.
“Step into a restaurant that feels like going back to Mama’s house: warm, welcoming, and filled with the aromas and flavors that evoke cherished memories for so many in the Filipino community. Through a thoughtfully curated menu and stories shared by the founders of Marcuz, you’ll experience the heart of Filipino hospitality.”


July 23 “Fraud and Cybercrime Awareness” educational community event at the Fort Collins Senior Center, hosted by the Human Relations Commission, the City of Fort Collins’ Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board, and the Fort Collins Women and Gender Equity Advisory Board. Registration required for each attendee. Light dinner provided. Free
The event will focus on types of financial fraud/cybercrimes and how to identify them, things to do to keep yourself and your family as safe as possible, current resources available. Questions? Contact Barb Kistler or Melanie Moses at: bak-avm@comcast.net orMMoses@fortcollins.gov
Saludos, ¡Espero que se encuentre muy bien! Mi nombre es Barb Kistler, vicepresidenta de la Comisión de Relaciones Humanas de Fort Collins (HRC), y me pongo en contacto con usted en nombre de la HRC, la Oficina de Equidad e Inclusión de la Ciudad de Fort Collins, el Consejo Asesor de Personas Mayores de Fort Collins y el Consejo Asesor sobre Mujeres y Equidad de Género de Fort Collins. Queremos saludarlo e invitarlo a que nos acompañe y nos ayude a difundir nuestro próximo programa educativo: “Concienciación Sobre Fraudes y el Crimen Cybernético”.
“Concienciación Sobre Fraudes y el Crimen Cybernético” es un evento comunitario gratuito diseñado para presentar tipos de fraude financiero y delitos cibernéticos, y cómo identificarlos, medidas para protegerse a sí mismo y a su familia lo mejor posible, recursos disponibles actualmente. Fecha: jueves, 23 de julio. Para fines de planificación, por favor, confirme su participación. Nota: Por favor, cada persona que va a participar debe confirmar su participación por separado. Adicional: Para la traducción de idiomas, por favor comuníquese con HRC@fcgov.com a más tardar el 9 de julio. Presentadores: Servicios de la Policiá de Fort Collins. Para más información, comuníquese con Barb Kistler o Melanie Moses en: bak-avm@comcast.net o MMoses@fortcollins.gov ¡Gracias y esperamos verlos allí!
July 26 The Gadfly: True Stories and Stand-Up Philosophy. 5:30 to 7 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
July 31 – Aug. 4 Larimer County Fair and PRCA Rodeo, The Ranch. Free admission and parking
Looking Ahead
Aug 29 Fort Collins Rotary Duck Race benefiting local nonprofits. “Thousands of rubber ducks are about to take over a lazy river in Fort Collins, all for a good cause.” $25 per adoption
Sept. 13 “Tell It Like It Was” storytelling workshop, Old Town Library. Registration required. Free
Oct. 18 Fort Stories storytelling event. Theme: “Lean On Me.” Details coming soon. Visit Side Porch Stories.
Heritage Spotlight
Olivia Rodrigo is proud of her Filipino heritage. Watch this video and then stop by Marcuz Boba in downtown Fort Collins for an authentic Filipino meal, including Rodrigo’s favorite, lumpia.
Art Spotlight
Kestrel Fields art residency program, a Northern Colorado creative retreat
Business Spotlight
Arboretum Coffee, 221 W. Prospect Rd., #100. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.
A Fort Collins-based non-profit craft coffee shop building futures for refugees and immigrants through coffee
“At Arboretum Coffee, we do more than serve great coffee—we serve opportunity. Our paid apprenticeship program provides hands-on job training, mentorship, life-skills education, resource navigation, and leadership development, ensuring that refugees and immigrants gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to build careers, confidence, and meaningful community relationships.
“By creating a space of belonging and bridging cultures through coffee, we’re breaking down barriers and opening doors to lasting economic and communal opportunity.”
Music Spotlight
10 Songs for Social Change (Amnesty International)
Event Calendars
https://www.rbarfc.com/
https://oldfirehousebooks.com/events/calendar/2025
https://artmuseum.colostate.edu/programs/
https://moafc.org/moafc-events/
https://www.lyriccinema.com/upcoming
https://bandwagmag.com/
https://downtownfortcollins.com/
https://focoma.org/directory/media-resources
https://www.fortcollins.gov/Events/Event-Calendar
https://www.larimer.gov/events
https://www.visitftcollins.com/
https://www.wolverinefarm.org/events/
https://poudrelibraries.librarycalendar.com/events/month
https://www.culturecurrentmag.com/
https://www.dfccd.org/

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