denise Leora madre

Entertainment Weekly, 03.21.13 Modern America is fraught with division. Freedom to be ourselves begats freedom to dissent, and in every imaginable arena, differing groups are at odds: Democrats and Republicans, rich and impoverished, Delena fans and Stelena fans (as if there's any doubt) and the list goes on. But during the Independence Day festivities this weekend, I experienced a profound reminder that underneath it all, we are all the same.

Happy Independence Day, America! As we celebrate our freedom from Britain's tyranny, let us all consider ourselves free from making questionable fashion choices in the name of patriotism. I'm talking the Stars & Stripes. Being a native Philadelphian, I have seen more than my fair share of gaudy, touristy ensembles, rife with huge flag decals or designs. And I get it. It's the Fourth of July, and you're visiting the Liberty Bell. You're practically obligated to don a flag-emblazoned fanny pack. But there are ways to rock the Stars & Stripes without forsaking your style. Here are a few of my favorites from around the web:

Tomorrow is Independence Day, and given our country's origins, the discourse will shift to concepts like freedom, sacrifice, honor, genocide, bigotry, and hypocrisy...you know, the usual suspects of American history. But this is Throwback Thursday, so I'm not here to delve into that stuff. Instead let us focus on our favorite staple of the American summer besides fireworks. The cookout. Cookouts (or BBQs) invoke different memories for all of us. Some remember the smoky heat of the grill and the burnt hot dogs your drunk uncle tried to pass off as "just a little charred." Others think of a giant bottle of mustard or suspicious green potato salad (I'm looking at you, Jill Scott ). No matter your thoughts, music is the one ingredient without which no cookout would be complete, and this week's TBT category pays homage to the tunes that just seem to go with charcoal, wine coolers, and scorching summer temperatures. My selection comes from an artist we sad...