July 4th--And We Still Must Mourn

“This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” 

– Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852

 

Every year on July 4th, American flags wave proudly, parades and fireworks light up cities and towns, and barbecues sizzle in backyards and on front stoops, all in celebration of America’s independence. However, 248 years after the battle for independence, many are not likely to feel patriotic, particularly Blacks in America as they still are waging a fight for freedom every day.

 

In 1776, Black people were shackled in bondage, and seen as mere property, while white Americans reveled in their hard-won freedom. Some brave souls seized the moment to flee, revolt, and resist their chains. Meanwhile, Indigenous Americans faced a harrowing fate, their people decimated by war and disease, their sacred lands stolen under the ruthless banner of Manifest Destiny.

 

If the promise of America isn’t afforded to all Americans, then we are still at war – a war with ourselves to forge a true America. Even after the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, America still yearns for civility. Individuals and organizations committed to racial equity must remain rigorous and steadfast in fighting for racial justice. It’s a work in progress. 

 

July 4th should be a time for deep reflection on our nation’s current crossroads, as we watch the principles of freedom and justice slip through our fingers. Since the affirmative action rulings of June 2023, efforts to advance racial equity have faced relentless opposition. A calculated campaign seeks to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in our public institutions—schools, libraries, and government agencies alike. In 22 states, legislatures have curtailed DEI initiatives on college campuses. The relentless push to suppress voting rights continues unabated at state and local levels. Recently, the Georgia Supreme Court struck down the Fearless Fund’s Strivers’ Grant program, which aimed to uplift Black women-owned businesses. We must remain vigilant against the conservative agenda’s drive to double down on the starkly racist policies of Project 2025.

 

From the vehement denial of historical truths and the battle against teaching ‘critical race theory’ to the proposed laws that deepen systemic racism, BIPOC communities are still treated as second-class citizens, stripped of equal rights, opportunities, and privileges. This Fourth of July, while we are free to celebrate, we cannot turn away from the profound historical truth this day symbolizes.