“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
Those were the words of abolitionist, orator and writer, Frederick Douglass. He delivered them during his July 5, 1852 speech in Rochester, New York. Although slavery ended in 1865, 161 years later, Douglass’ question is still relevant to the descendants of a nation founded in slavery.
What should America’s 250th anniversary mean to Black America? Should it be collectively celebrated or independently ignored, denounced or dismissed?
“That’s for them, not us,” Dawn Wise, founder of Prettii skincare products, said bluntly. “I just feel it’s a celebration the colonizers put on us versus Black people’s independence and freedom. Those things just don’t coincide … but, hey, it’s a celebration for everybody … I guess.”
Wise’s sentiments were echoed in recent surveys detailing Black Americans’ complex views about this country’s independence. While some celebrate the holiday, others have bittersweet feelings because of the genesis of Black people in this country.
Most said the country has never lived up to the Founding Fathers’ claim that “all men are created equal,” scribed in the Declaration of Independence.
An April University of Massachusetts Amherst poll found that nearly 60% of Black Americans believe those ideas are disconnected from reality, while 42% believe the ideas of the document still guide the country today.
A Lord Ashcroft poll revealed Black Americans’ mixed feelings about the issue. While many are proud of the country, only 20% said they feel the U.S. has truly lived up to its founding ideals of liberty and opportunity for all.
Elizabeth Donielle, founder of her own public relations and media firm, became visibly upset as she talked about how the United States ignored Black history and Black contributions in the past and again in modern times under the Trump administration.
“We don’t need to be blind about our accomplishments in all those years; We need to put some respect on it,” Donielle said. “We need to put some respect on our culture, our ancestors. … We need to put some respect on the generations of Black people that really contributed to this country.”
The St. Louis American spoke with some attendees of the Black Wall Street festival in Wellston last weekend. There, Greg McAboy expressed frustration with America’s place in history.
“I believe I’ve become a little jaded as I’ve gotten older, and I think a lot of us are,” McAboy said. “I don’t think we’re where we’re supposed to be … and the proof of that is Donald Trump in the White House, right now. … That proves America is not where it’s supposed to be.”
For State Rep. Marty Joe Murray, who represents downtown St. Louis and surrounding neighborhoods, the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act is a troubling sign.
“We’re constantly seeing a rollback into an unrecognizable era,” Murray said. “What does 250 years mean?” He said the anniversary makes him think of Douglass’ famous question.
“I can see celebrating it from the position that maybe America has an opportunity to live up to its ideas, but that’s about it.” Murray said.
An older man in the crowd, wearing a colorful dashiki, said he’ll be celebrating “the best part” of America: The election of President Barack Obama.
“In 2008, we elected Obama, the second-best president next to Abraham Lincoln, who ‘they’ believe is the first best president. For me though, Obama is the best. Period!”
Several people at the festival said Juneteenth should be what Black Americans celebrate instead of, or in addition to, the Fourth. A woman wearing a St. Louis Cardinals hat and an American flag T-shirt said she has no problem celebrating Independence Day as long as we also honor the contributions of Black people.
“Our history is etched in those 250 years,” she stressed. “So many people try to change the narrative, but we (must) let people know that we played an important part in all those years. We need to not only celebrate but elevate our history and our communities.”
Black Americans are not the only group with mixed feelings about the holiday on Saturday. While most Americans feel proud of the country, there are sharp divides in their feelings.
A recent Gallup poll found that 77% of all Americans believe the founders would be disappointed with how the U.S. has turned out today. A Fox News survey reported that 53% of voters are proud of the country, with 34% feeling extreme pride — a 25-year low, according to Gallup.
Marlon Wharton, with the nonprofit Gentlemen of Vision, said he will not celebrate America’s anniversary until Black people make the country live up to its principles.
“It’s going to take organizations, communities and people to all come together and just be selfish,” Wharton said. “We just have to say, ‘we’re going to keep our dollars inside our communities.’ We have to be selfish!”
Patricia Battle, a vendor at the festival, has no problem celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
“We helped build this; we are part of it,” Battle said. “So, what do I have to say? … Happy Birthday America!”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
