"What to the revolutionary is the Fourth of July?"
Today, many Americans pull out grills, gather with family, and go see fireworks. This Fourth of July, I ask you, "What to the revolutionary is the Fourth of July?" As the education system is being destroyed, as people are being stripped of their families and communities, as the war in Gaza continues to take innocent lives, as race and racism hinders our collective living, and resources are being taken from the poor while lining the pockets of the rich; it does not feel like there is much to celebrate. So I ask again, "What to the revolutionary is the Fourth of July?"
I share with you these words:
From the Black Experience, I think of the words of Fredrick Douglass:
“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. 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 bloody than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.”
From the Native American Experience, I think of the words from Daisee Francour:
“This patriotic holiday is nothing to celebrate, because freedom cannot come at the cost of another’s freedom, especially on stolen land, amongst stolen Peoples. America’s Independence Day is a celebration of imperialism, genocide, and American exceptionalism, and there is no pride in genocide. This country must take accountability for its violence, and it is our collective responsibility to learn decolonized history, uplift suppressed histories, and make others aware of the United States’ painful past. With the acknowledgment of the truth, it opens a door for justice, accountability, and healing which can further affirm others’ rights and freedoms to be respected and upheld.”
From the Gospel of July 4, which comes from Matthew 9:9-13:
“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ He heard this and said, ‘Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.’”
While the Fourth of July calls me to reflect on the past and pray for the hope for the future, ultimately it is a day I do not celebrate. Instead I will reflect on the aforementioned readings and I will be lifting up three groups of people:
Today, I want to put three communities at the forefront of this celebration.
The communities whose lives are harmed by America. I’m thinking specifically today of Gaza and those who are impacted by the closure of USAID
The real freedom fighters whose names often go unmentioned. Specifically, Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony and so many others that we don’t even know their names
The Veterans who are forgotten after they come back home and suffer from PTSD, homelessness and more
As you gather with your own families, and perhaps even grill and go see fireworks, I invite you to join me in lifting up these groups of Americans often forgotten.
Peace be with you!
Black Moses is the Call to Action Executive Director. He is based in New Orleans.
