A Definite “No.” (Big J). I don’t celebrate the Fourth for various reasons - historical, contemporary and spiritual. First, when the American colonies sought independence from the British, they did not seek freedom for African Americans. In fact, one of the primary reasons the colonists sought freedom from the British was so that the colonists could keep more of the profits from their massive fortune in black slaves. Though I recognize the skill and wisdom in the American form of government, I cannot close my eyes and celebrate people that raped and pillage my ancestors. I’ve read too much black history for that. Furthermore, my disdain for American foreign affairs has rendered me unable to celebrate the freedom with which we live here. How can I waive the flag and cry “freedom” when my government is dropping bombs on thousands of innocents half a world away, without just cause? We African Americans have a responsibility to hold America to a higher standard. Lastly, I believe saluting flags or pledging my allegiance to governments - or, better yet, to anything other than the Spirit (God), is blasphemous, dangerous and, ultimately, conditional. I don’t burn flags, but I don’t fly them either.
A definite “Yes.” (rich) Every country has demons and criticizing our country is the most American thing we can do. It’s just what our founders did when they broke away from the English crown and dumped tea into the Boston harbor. And we still complain about taxes. The thing about complaining is that you are engaged in it. To not engage in America and participate is to give up and is probably the most un-American thing you can do. The facts is, even at the beginning we participated in this country and shaped the face of it–zits and all. To not celebrate the the Fourth of July would be like saying we had no part in its history. Recall Crispus Attucks. Recall the Fighting 54th of Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment , the Tuskeegee Airmen, and all those other African-American martyrs we hear about in Black History. They didn’t lay down and let others define what America was for them. They fought for their families, their homes, their pride, and their freedom. For those men and women, America symbolized all of these. To believe that American is what the bad actors in the White House say it is or even the bad actors abroad, is to raise the white flag. America is what you make it. With all our complaining (and it is our civic duty to do so), there are no tanks rolling through the street when there is a change over in power. We can count on our garbage being picked up. And we can look forward to connecting to the internet to read every opinion known to man. I root for USA soccer and I enjoy going to a White Sox Game (Cubs choke!). And I feel pride every time we are on top of the medal standings in the Olympics. Why? Because there’s no place else I’d rather be and there’s no other country I’d rather make better.
