Celebrating the 4th of July in 2022
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"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
The quote above is considered the most important sentence in the Declaration of Independence (DOI). Today in light of everything that is happening, mass shootings, recent Supreme Court decisions, a rise in hate crimes, etc., some may be questioning whether we should celebrate Independence Day or not.
The 4th of July is a yearly celebration marking the end of the British Parliament's control of America and the beginning of America's nationhood or independence, hence the reason it's called Independence Day. In the early years of the thirteen colonies, Americans were required to pay taxes to the British though they did not have representation in the British Parliament (Taxation without Representation). On July 4th, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress officially adopted and passed the Declaration of Independence. The declaration by Thomas Jefferson formally ended America's attachment to Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was read in public for the first time on July 8th, 1776, in Philadelphia, and they celebrated that original reading with traditional flair.
Then on July 4th, 1777, the first commemoration of Independence Day was also observed in Philadelphia. Early Americans celebrated their independence with bonfires, parades, games, speeches, etc.
The celebration didn't catch on with everyone initially but slowly grew in popularity, especially after the War of 1812.
Celebrating Independence Day is symbolic of patriotism and national pride. It's about cherishing freedom and liberty.
Many of us use this time to get together with family and friends and celebrate our great democracy. It's a celebration of "us." In 1776 however, when Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, enslaved people made up about 20% of the population in the U.S., so Independence Day did not mean freedom for all because it didn't mean freedom for "us," Black people.
It did not mean emancipation for Black people; the Declaration of Independence isn't the governing law in America; the constitution is. The DOI was an announcement that the USA was an independent country, and the constitution became the law when it was finished in 1787, some eleven years later.
Seventy-six years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, On July 5th, 1852, Frederick Douglass spoke about slaves and the Fourth of July. The lecture titled "What, to the American Slave, is Your Fourth of July?" Douglas said: "What, to the American slave is your Fourth 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. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloodier, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour."
Douglas said that while he believed that the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence should be celebrated along with the holiday, the hypocrisy of their ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all while harboring slaves was fraudulent and insincere. Our enslaved ancestors had to navigate celebrating "independence" while being "enslaved." Back then, like today, most celebrated the day off from working in the fields by spending time with family. The Emancipation Proclamation did not become law until January 1st, 1863, so our people celebrated a freedom they did not have.
Granted, we have many more privileges than our ancestors had, however recent Supreme Court decisions show the fragility of those freedoms in the current culture in America.
Today, we have fewer choices than we had a week ago, and there are some indications that more of our choices and liberties might be up for consideration by the Supreme Court.
Whether you celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July or not, please take a moment to consider our history and what freedom means to you. Our ancestors endured much to get us to the point where we can now celebrate freedom in truth, so enjoy the holiday and be ready to fight to keep your INDEPENDENCE.
Happy Fourth of July!!!!
Sophia Brewer (M.L.I.S.) is Collection Development and Serials Librarian, Grand Rapids Community College; Co-President of the Greater Grand Rapids History Council; member of the Grand Rapids Study Club and serves on the Grand Rapids Public Library, Board of Library Commissioners (Elected 2016-2021). She is a former Head of Programs, Grand Rapids Public Library and former Branch Manager, Madison Square Branch, Grand Rapids Public Library Congresswoman
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