Conversations on Race and Racism, Holidays

Why We Don’t Celebrate America’s Independence Day

Posted on by Mama Dot
06
Jul

**This is not written to protect the fragile egos of those who are comfortable with the status quo, but rather uses factual and easily researchable information which lead to the decision many years ago as to why my family does not celebrate American Independence.**

This past week, millions of Americans in the United States celebrated the nation’s independence from Britain after a long-fought tumultuous war from 1775 to 1783.  Families filled baskets and coolers with their favorite foods and beverages, piled into vehicles, and headed for parks and beaches.  Some grilled at home with family and friends.  Fireworks blasted from dusk until dawn and music could be heard everywhere.  But, within this pastime celebration is a very dark past that continues to pour out into the present ultimately costing lives and leaving many disillusioned.

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During this 8 year event, the Declaration of Independence was written and passed by Congress in July of 1776. This was a treasonist act. Finally, in 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed by which Britain officially recognized the United States as an entity and corporation separate from their own. During the crown rule, colonists were subjected to taxes on their lands, and property, which you guessed it, included slaves.  That’s right, colonists had to pay taxes on the slaves that they owned to Britain.  The default of these payments resulted in the confiscation of property and funds and other forms of punishment.  To break free, colonists organized boycotts, protests, rallies.  Let’s not forget the famous Boston Tea Party.   The colonists even destroyed property and set ablaze town after town in efforts to free themselves.  These same behaviors were seen amid COVID 19 when many armed white males marched on city capitals while brandishing high-powered weapons all around the nation demanding that the economy and businesses be opened again.  Yet, Black people, Latinos, other people of color, and their allies who march and protest peacefully in order to demand basic human rights are called animals and thugs.  Mind you, they’ve also been unarmed.  Why is it always different for people of color when they exercise the same rights?

When celebrations of independence began, Black people were largely excluded.  They were slaves through the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War.  First and foremost, let’s be clear.  President Lincoln never freed slaves nor ended slavery at large.  He disbanded slavery in confederate states which rebelled and freed their slaves. Slavery as an institution continued for many years thereafter and until local officials implemented slaveholding policies, often resulting in payments to slaveholders as reparations while slaves themselves got absolutely nothing to start their new lives with. Even once slavery ended, Black people were excluded from festivities or faced racist practices such as being prevented from purchasing fireworks or icecream. Today, you can often find that the costs of fireworks are higher near communities where people of color live.

Primarily, there are 5 reasons why my family does not celebrate Independence Day in the United States.

American Independence was fought for land that did not belong to the colonists in the first place.

The fact that invaders are referred to as pilgrims or settlers of the United States is extremely problematic. It is also racist when considering how the media in the U.S. portrays other groups as barbarians, terrorists, or savages for similar behavior.  The land of the United States was already inhabited and settled upon for many lifetimes by Black and Brown People.  Just as Europeans settled onto stolen Palestinian land in the Middle East and created their own state of Israel through murder, rape, and torture, colonists acquired the land therein the United States in the same manner. The communities that lived here before were completely pillaged and destroyed.

Black people were not free when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Even a hundred years later, African Americans were still in bondage.  In fact, many Blacks were still enslaved well into the 1960s.  Often, this was disguised as sharecropping.  But, in the deep south, it was overtly known.  Slaves, sharecroppers, maids, and wet nurses were passed down in white families via wills, which easily evaded laws.  With the invention of mass incarceration, a new form of slavery was created.

Black contributions to the American Revolutionary War are seldom recognized.

Crispus Attucks was the first person martyred for American Independence, the first person killed during the Boston Massacre.  Yet, Crispus Attucks is rarely regarded as a hero in history lessons.  In fact, I’ve had to bring awareness of Attucks in every education position I’ve held, both in general education and in homeschooling.  Each time, I’ve been met with resentment from non-Black adults who’ve acted as if I’ve taken away from the idea of what the American Revolution was just by holding space for Attucks and his ultimate sacrifice.  I cannot tell you of the countless direct messages and emails I’ve gotten whereby the others felt offended by his very mention.  In addition to Crispus Attucks, there were countless Black soldiers on both sides of the conflict.  Imagine going off to fight after being told it was your patriotic duty only to return home and still be in bondage. What about the soldiers of color now who ride off to defend this nation, yet get no justice at home? Vets of color are far more likely to be denied benefits, to be homeless, and to have untreated PTSD.

It’s an Excuse

Often, racists use the celebration of American Independence as an opportunity to fly confederate flags and other racist paraphernalia, claiming it to be patriotic or representation of American rebellions.  What’s so ironic about this is that the confederacy lasted less than 5 years and they lost, but this symbol of hate remains.  In Germany, Hitler facilitated the extermination of millions of Jews.  Yet, there are no racists flags hanging, tributes to the Hitlers of time,  or monuments built in their names.  But, here all of those exist.  Dedications to Christopher Columbus, Robert E. Lee, and many other horrendous people can be found. That’s how deep-seated racism is in this country and how it’s really ingrained into the culture.

Much remains the same

Black people and other persons of color are continuously treated unjustly and in an inhumane manner both by civilians and government officials and authority figures including the fraternal order of police, healthcare, and the justice system. From a lack of laws to ineffective and unenforced ones to subtle remarks to the outright use of racial slurs.  And then there is the violence which seems to never end.  In the month of June alone, there were at least 8 lynchings of African American men.  And that’s on top of the murders and other instances of racism.

In good conscience, I cannot support a holiday (or any other event or business) that does not support me or the people that look like me.  Not only has this historically been so, but there has been no effort by the U.S. government to correct course.

Here is the esteemed James Earl Jones reading the words of Frederick Douglass’ “What to a slave is the 4th of July”.

 

Douglass’ grandchildren also recite the speech as well as give insight on their thoughts of what it means to them.

 

For your reading, please check out:

Although we do not celebrate American Independence, we do wholeheartedly support and uphold the Constitution and the natural rights of every human being.  I implore you to reach beyond your bias and lean on the understanding that the way things are or have always been may not be right, that the things you may hold dear have meant the oppression and persecution of others.  If we are to change the world, to make it better, these are things that we must not pass down to our children.  Love, compassion, and understanding must be fostered. If teaching the American Independence, the American Revolutionary War, or even the Civil War, be honest about it and include various perspectives.  Be inclusive of the effects that these events have had on all peoples. This is especially true for Black families, other families of color, or families raising children of color.

These books can help to provide you with a foundation before engaging in meaningful conversations with children:

**These are not meant for children


Hasta Pronto!

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