Celebrating the 4th of July While Simultaneously Being Disappointed in America is Real
And Why I Haven't Celebrated The Holiday For Years
Celebrating the 4th of July while simultaneously being disappointed in America is real. Independence Day has never really been my thing (Juneteenth girlie here) and I chose rest instead. Many Americans are conditioned to celebrate this day. If you do celebrate July 4th take time to pause amongst your burgers and fireworks to think about who the independence is for.
What is independence when immigrants are being deported illegally?
What is America to you if millions of folks don't have healthcare?
What is independence to you when police brutality towards Black people has only increased since the murder of George Floyd?
What is America to you if the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities (aka anything DEI) are being attacked?
What is independence to you when women don't have control of their bodies?
The 4th of July celebrates the independence of America from Great Britain for heterosexual, cisgender, land-owning, mostly enslavers, non-disabled, white men. That means A LOT of Americans were left out of the "American Dream" and the freedom this country promised. So eat your hot dog, enjoy family, and think about what you'll be doing starting Monday to change the above.
Your labor to make sure we keep asking the hard questions and doing the hard work, even as you navigate so much, does not go unnoticed. Thank you.