What To Me Is The 4th of July?

Hello my favorite Troublemakers,

You probably know this but next Sunday is the 4th of July. If you live in the United States, it marks 244 since the country’s “independence” and “freedom.” Friends, it’s probably not going to shock you that I’m not especially patriotic. I enjoy fireworks and bbq and family gatherings (with vaccinated folks) as much as the next person, but I wont be wearing the flag or blasting “God Bless America” for all my neighbors to hear, you know what I mean? I am an American and and and as a Black woman I am always reminded that this country was not made for my freedom or for my independence.

Which is why I’m grateful that Frederick Douglass’s voice continues to speak so eloquently from beyond the grave. Here’s an excerpt from his speech “What To the Slaves is the 4th of July”:

“I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between u…