I Don’t Celebrate the 4th of July

Photo Credit :: Britt Smith Photography

It’s that time. Red, White and Blue everything. BBQ’s, hot dogs and pool parties. As a kid, all I remembered was hamburgers and fireworks on that day. As an adult, I don’t celebrate the 4th of July. Matter of fact, our Independence just passed on June 19th.

We never learned about Juneteenth in school. We were only taught about the 4th of July, Independence Day. Whose independence are we celebrating because black people weren’t really free? Black people were still slaves on the day that Declaration of Independence was signed. It wasn’t until I read Frederick Douglass’ famous “What to the Slave Is The Fourth of July” that I realized that this wasn’t a holiday for US.

“What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.” -Frederick Douglas

Now, don’t get me wrong, I will take my day off or work for some holiday pay! Please be mindful of others who do not celebrate the holiday and respect their decision. As a parent, I plan on having a discussion with my son about Independence Day and Juneteenth! These conversations are necessary now more than ever.

Let me tell you what Black people do celebrate around the 4th of July….Essence. The Essence Music Festival, also known as “the party with a purpose.” The annual festival is usually held in New Orleans around the 4th of July weekend.

In 2022, we still aren’t FREE. So what are you celebrating? As I wrote this blog in 202, we were still demanding justice for Breonna Taylor.

“I always hated the Fourth of July, even before I realized what a travesty such a celebration was for Black people in this country.” -Audrey Lourde

3 COMMENTS

  1. I thought that Independence Day was the when America is commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent state. That is what it means pure and simple. If one reads history books (since no one living today was around back then) You have to read about it. This is all the mean of Independence day means.

    • EXACTLY….. say it louder just in case she didn’t understand or misinterpreted it for something else 😂😂. Go back to school

      • How about you read “What to the slave is the 4th of July?”https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/what-to-the-slave-is-the-fourth-of-july/

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