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I grew up in a very patriotic household. My grandfather, an immigrant, kept his citizenship papers framed on his wall next to a glass case that had pictures of my my uncle in his army uniform with all his medals and an American flag. 1/
One of my most worn pieces of clothing was an army jacket from my uncle, and a shirt with cool helicopters and the insignia of the special ops aviation force he worked with, the Night Stalkers. 2/
We had a flag hanging outside our house, and would make red, white, and blue food for every 4th of July.
Below is a picture of us at our small town’s parade parade to fundraise for 9/11 victims.
Below is a picture of us at our small town’s parade parade to fundraise for 9/11 victims.
In July of 2002, my mom pulled us all out of school so we can go stand on a bridge for over 4 hours as we waited for a truck transporting pieces of the Twin Towers to a memorial somewhere, to drive by — Not stop, Just drive by at 60+ mph!! 4/
We sat there wearing red, white, and blue, waving flags, and smiling the whole time, because we loved and supported America that much!
To be honest, I still love America deeply today, but I don’t feel like celebrating a holiday called “Independence Day”... 5/
To be honest, I still love America deeply today, but I don’t feel like celebrating a holiday called “Independence Day”... 5/
while we as a nation fall short of the ideals proclaimed in our original Declaration. Dont get me wrong, it’s been beautiful to c so much of America (& the world) stand up in unity to declare the lives & rights of ppl that look like me should matter as much as everyone else’s. 6/
But this movement has also helped highlight the injustices and failures to hold that self-evident truth that “all [people] are created equal.”
After signing that Declaration of Independence, John Adam’s wrote a letter to his wife in which he said 7/
After signing that Declaration of Independence, John Adam’s wrote a letter to his wife in which he said 7/
“It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance…” But how can I do so when his fellow revolutionaries didn’t allow my ancestors and those who they enslaved to have even a fraction of the freedoms they were demanding? 8/
For nearly 100 years AFTER that original Independence Day, the majority of enslaved Black Americans who refused their roles and attempted to take an ultimate stand saying “give me liberty, or give me death,” would, with legal approval by America
, be given the latter. 9/
, be given the latter. 9/
Compared to other places & other times in history, we have an abundance of opportunity & freedom Im thankful for. But, no1 should tell a woman w/ a husband who's verbally abusive & slaps her on rare occasion, how lucky she is he no longer gives daily beatings w/ closed fists. 10/
My point is, it’s not hard to understand why Frederick Douglass said “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” This view was more than justified at the time, and... 11/
it’s immoral to look on American history and not mourn for all the lives lost and tormented in her creation, expansion, and continued establishment. Still, I am American. While my ancestors have been on the receiving end of much of her past cruelties, they survived,... 12/
and I feel continuing the struggle to claim ownership of my stake in this country, which had been denied to them, is one of the many ways I can thrive beyond their wildest dreams.
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Furthermore, it is because of my patriotism that I insist on my right to constructively criticize my country, perpetually pushing her to live up to her ideals. 14/
So I’m not asking that no one honor this occasion of America’s birthday. But President Theodore Roosevelt said “it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth…” So if you do decide to celebrate today,... 15/
...ALSO clearly acknowledge how USA has failed to live up to that Declaration for all. If u want to enjoy bbq's & 
, ALSO take time to educate urself on past & current injustices we face, AND declare ur own intentions to make this nation’s promised liberties reality for all. 16/
, ALSO take time to educate urself on past & current injustices we face, AND declare ur own intentions to make this nation’s promised liberties reality for all. 16/
To celebrate America’s pride without also acknowledging her shame, is not only dishonest, unkind, and uncaring, it’s un-American.
