July 4th.
On July 4th, 1776, the United States declared its independence. But those in the US itself were not truly free.
Black Americans would not see slavery abolished for another near century; the Civil Rights Act wouldn’t be passed for another century after that. Even today, systemic and institutionalized racism in our society and government continue to intentionally hinder Black Americans.
Native Americans were subject to genocide for most of the 18th and 19th centuries. Their land was stolen from them and they were forced from their homes. Today they still have not received proper reparations, nor have proper representation.
The LGBTQ+ community has fought for equal rights and is still fighting for it due to the actions of the current administration. Transgender individuals are being targeted in our country at a truly alarming rate.
Women would not get the right to vote until the beginning of the 20th century, and their rights are still under attack to this day. Latinos in the US have been vilified and forced into cages for trying to find a better life for their families. Asian Americans were forced into internment camps during WWII and are currently being blamed for a virus that has nothing to do with them. Muslim Americans are spied on and are discriminated against in this country due to the actions of less than 1% of the Muslim population worldwide. Puerto Ricans have not been given the right to self-determination. Native Hawaiians are also denied this right.
July 4th is a celebration of when this country gained its independence and its white, male citizens were given freedom. For all of these other groups, and more, the fight did not stop then and still continues, even in 2020.
Today, let’s think of those who have not truly gained their independence and freedom in the United States. Continue to amplify their voices and speak their truth. The United States is not truly free until all of its citizens are as well.
The most patriotic thing that one can do as someone who lives in the United States is to want and to work for their country to be better than it currently is. Patriotism is not blind acceptance and nationalism, but rather pride and recognition that our country is not perfect, far from it.
Let’s all do our part to make the United States truly a nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
“The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine.”
-Frederick Douglass, 1852
In Solidarity,
Miami University College Democrats
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For inquiries, contact elghazoa@miamioh.edu
