Explore the nuanced perspectives on celebrating the 4th of July among Black Americans, examining historical contexts, Frederick Douglass’ influential speech, and the ongoing conversation about freedom and equality
Believe it or not, some blacks are not enthusiastic about celebrating the 4th of July because they say that blacks were still slaves at the time of the Declaration of Independence, and that it did not apply to blacks, only whites. They forget that the Declaration of Independence was a major cause of the beginning of the end of slavery in America. They sometimes mention Frederick Douglass’ ‘What to the Slave is the Fourth of July’? – dated July 5th, 1852. Well, Douglass lived until 1895 and changed his views from the time he made that speech about the Declaration of Independence celebration.
His speech critical of the relevance of the Independence Day celebration regarding those still in slavery was before the founding of the Republican Party (in which he was an active member). It was before the Civil War, the D.C. Emancipation, the 1st and 2nd Confiscation Acts, the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, the Civil Rights legislation, the election of blacks to Congress during Reconstruction, etc.
For 54 years, he supported and fought for all of the achievements that helped free black people from chattel slavery and grant them equal opportunity.
Frederick Douglass became a great American patriot and Statesman!
So those blacks who like to recite Frederick Douglass as a reference should look at the “timeline” of his growth and development if they want to treat him fairly. He recognized and accepted the United States Constitution as a document for freedom, not slavery. He served as an advisor to Presidents, recruited black soldiers for the Union Army, was appointed U.S. Marshall of the District of Columbus, was appointed as U.S. Deeds of Record for the District of Columbia, and was appointed U.S. Minister Resident & Consul General for the Republic of Haiti.
Frederick Douglass was one of the foremost abolitionists. And he was a great American hero! We must honor him in his evolutionary growth and not hold him to a statement or speech that he made in his prime.
To do so is to support some limited personal narrative, whether it be to promote the anti-American spirit or a victim mentality mindset that they feel will inspire black people to think nationalistic and separatist, or to control them emotionally to be resentful, revengeful, or resistant to anything American, even if it is good for all.
A good analogy is Malcolm X. Most people recognize his evolutionary growth from the Nation of Islam to Al-Islam, mainstream Islam. Very few people, if any, quote Malcom X when he was in the Nation of Islam. They acknowledge that he moved on from NOI, and they see and quote him in his new worldview. Why not show the same integrity and historical accuracy when it comes to Frederick Douglass? To do otherwise is not to honor him with integrity, but to exploit him for malicious and evil intentions.
Frederick Douglass was not a half-baked revolutionary. He protested against socialism and communism being imposed upon him. He was an American patriot and statesman who dedicated his post slavery days to supporting the United States Constitution and making America better.
Frederick Douglass
Our hero, liberator and warrior –
Frederick Douglass was a self-made man
And by his labor
Helped carry his people to the Promised Land.
He was the David who slew Goliath
And he never retreated,
From his love for Black people
Until their enemy was defeated.
He fought the “bear”
When others would flee
He never lost faith
That Black people would be free.
He rode the whirlwind
Until it could blow no more…
He wrestled the Lion And calmed its mighty roar
And made it give up its starry crown.
Weary, teary-eyed, and blood-soaked
On the ground.
He placed the prize upon the head of the slave –
Then he declared his people free
God fearing and brave.
Our hero, liberator and warrior –
Frederick Douglass was a self-made man
And by his labor
Help deliver his people to Freedom Land
4th of July, Frederick Douglass, slavery, Declaration of Independence, racial history, American independence, civil rights, racial justice, historical perspectives, Independence Day debate
#FourthOfJuly #FrederickDouglass #RacialJustice #HistoryMatters #IndependenceDay #Equality #AmericanHistory #CivilRights #FreedomForAll
