‘The conscience of the nation must be roused’: Black Atlantans share thoughts on Fourth of July

Today commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, thereby liberating America from Britain. Nevertheless, African slavery remained highly prevalent in the nation, resulting in the absence of true freedom for any enslaved individual of African descent. In actuality, they were granted freedom on June 19th, 1865, almost a century after America gained their independence.

Since Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, countless Blaxck American citizens have questioned their role in celebrating the Fourth of July, as they feel the holiday does not pertain to them. Frederick Douglass’ speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” encourages the audience to realize that Independence Day does not call for celebration amongst anyone in the Black community.

“The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced,” Douglass said.

He emphasizes the sanctimony of the Declaration of Independence. It reads that all men are created equal, but there was an entire race of people who were enslaved. Due to the nation’s complicity and its failure to act upon its foundational principles, Douglass urged African-Americans to reconsider their recognition of the holiday.

Black communities have historically celebrated the Fourth of July through cookouts, pool parties and fireworks. Spelman College alumnae Mira Donaldson and Atlanta resident and educator Edwin Victor mentioned that Black citizens utilize the occasion as a means of fostering communal solidarity,  as opposed to commemorating its meaning.

“Internally, the holiday means nothing to us, but I think it’s interesting how we embrace fellowship, and use that time to get together with family, travel and use it to our own advantage. I always thought of it as a day I would see my family, and it’s something I would look forward to every year,” Donaldson said.

They claim that unity among the community is a way of reclaiming a narrative that is not particularly designed for Black Americans.

“We always saw the Fourth as a time to rekindle, spend time together and have a good time. Juneteenth was definitely long overdue and it’s beautiful that we’re recognizing it, but this holiday is also a really good opportunity for us to celebrate family,” Victor said.

Although the Declaration of Independence deliberately excluded Black Americans during that period, their descendants have been in our country for more than two centuries since then. Consequently, an abundance of Black Americans consider the United States their established residence and aim to celebrate the nation’s territorial freedom, rather than focusing on those who were not free during that time.

“As a Black American, it’s like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. I think we enjoy the benefits of America being an independent country, but ultimately thinking about how we were still enslaved, the holiday means a lot,” Atlanta resident Kierstyn Smith said. “It’s not something that resonates with me or I’m proud of, but I recognize the importance of it”.

Young Democrats of Georgia Vice President Davante Jennings believes that no change in America can be achieved unless all residents, particularly African-Americans, take pride in it. Although he understands that not every member in the Black community will connect with the holiday, he argues that the only way to bring about constructive change in America is to acknowledge and celebrate the positive and negative aspects of the country’s history.

“I initially went down the rabbit hole of thinking this holiday is not for us, but then I recently realized that I am an American, and we must show pride if we want to begin better the country we live in and just have a love for it,” Jennings said.

On the other hand, several Black Americans have begun to refrain from celebrating a holiday that does not directly celebrate them. Spelman College Sociology and Anthropology Co-Chair Cynthia Spence highlighted the progression of society, and how the establishment  of Juneteenth serves as a step toward reparations and the culpability for the egregious treatment of enslaved individuals.

“I am very happy that Juneteenth is now a major holiday because it acknowledges that people of African descent were enslaved in this country,” Spence said. “In terms of the federal government actually addressing the wrong in the enslavement of human beings, Juneteenth is that symbolic representation of the federal government taking responsibility, and in many ways this federal recognition of Juneteenth portrays a very small aspect of reparations.”

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