This post is a few days late. I had to think about it, Should Blacks celebrate the 4th of July? The answer.... Hell NO! First of all, when America gained independence from Britain we were still slaves. It is estimated that half a million people, or one fifth of the total American population was enslaved in 1776. And why do we feel obligated to celebrate this country's freedom when we were in bondage? On one hand whites were upset about the way Britain treated them, but they were here treating Blacks worse. Thomas Jefferson felt shameful about the newly formed country's treatment of Blacks he wrote this in the original draft of the Declaration of Independence (which was later removed because delegates from South Carolina and Georgia) "we have waged a cruel war against human nature itself, violating it's most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere". WoW. How did we get so far from the lofty dreams of our founding fathers?
Don't get me wrong, I love America, the constitution and am patriotic, I disagree with some of it's policies and treatment of some of it's citizens we have a long way to go but I have to remind myself some of the holidays we choose to celebrate we need to do our homework on.
That is why I choose not to celebrate most American holidays, we have to find some culture within American culture, our identity is tied into American history but free you mind and celebrate those holidays that are meaningful and worth celebrating! Just saying....
Love, Peace and Strength
T. Davis
No comments:
Post a Comment