This Independence Day comes just two weeks after Juneteenth was celebrated as a national holiday for the first time. With that in mind, this year's fourth of July hits different.
America was freed from British rule on this day in 1776. It's ironic that a country celebrating its own freedom continued to enslave African people.
Dr. Rick Warren, President and Founder of the Black Expo and RW Media Enterprises, told the ABC affiliate in St. Louis that doing so was hypocritical:
The Declaration of Independence is probably the most hypocritical document. At one point, they're declaring freedom and, at another point, they’re enslaving people. It's an interesting dichotomy. So many Black people in America have always had an interesting view on the Fourth of July. In our culture, it's become one of those holidays used more as a family get together. It’s an opportunity for us to come together rather than a celebration of freedom.
As we go about today's festivities, let's keep Dr. Warren's sentiments in mind. Today may not be a celebration of freedom for us, but it is an opportunity to get together with those we love and cherish.
Happy fourth.
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