It’s Complicated: A Black American Reflection on the Fourth of July.

This morning I went to a reading of one of Frederick Douglass’ most famous speeches: “What to the slave is the Fourth of July,” which was originally delivered on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, NY. ?Professor David Blight, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning book: Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, refers to this speech as the apex of Douglass’ oratory prowess. I have recently finished Blight’s book and my interest was piqued when I heard about this annual reading of the speech. ?This particular reading was special because it was delivered at the historic Federated Church in Edgartown, MA on Martha’s Vineyard. Douglass actually graced this very pulpit for a speech in the 1860’s.?I was riveted by the power of Douglass’ words and I was intrigued by the delivery, which was done as a relay by some 12 local pastors, business and community leaders. For more than 90 minutes, this diverse group of men and women did an excellent job of capturing the passion and poignance of Douglass’ speech. The crux of Douglass’ argument about 19th century America is the profound hypocrisy of a country that claims to be the land of the free while perpetuating the most comprehensive and diabolical legal, social and economic scheme of racial oppression ever known to mankind. In sum, he demanded that America be what it says it is in its founding documents. And today, some 170 years later, I make the same demand, as I am still waiting for America to embody the words of those founding documents.

As I walked out of the church, I reflected on a conversation that I had with my wife a few months ago about the American Flag.?We were sitting at a red light when a large pickup truck rolled up beside us with both the American Flag and guns in gun racks prominently displayed. After the truck pulled off, my wife said, “It makes me nervous to see that and sometimes that flag is just as bad as the Confederate Flag to me.”?She was speaking of the complicated relationship that Black American’s have with the flag and how some use the flag as a means of oppression, a not so subtle symbol, stating to non-white people that this country is not yours. Some people of color have called it the “forever foreigner” status regardless of when your family got here or what contributions your family has made, they feel forever alienated from the pride bound up in the flag for some. In fact on January 6, 2021, we saw insurrectionist flying both the Confederate Battle Flag and American Flag simultaneously. Seems pretty incongruous since the Confederates fought against America, killing US soldiers to maintain and expand slavery. But this confusing coexistence of contradictory symbols and the ideals they represent has been a part of America since its inception.

I responded to my wife that although I get where she is coming from, I refuse to concede the flag and allow it to be co-opted. ?As a black American family we have just as much claim to this country as anyone. On both sides of our family we have people who have served America with honor.?Indeed, my father-in-law, served in the US Army shortly after immigrating here from Haiti.?My grandfather born in 1897, just two years after Frederick Douglass died and a half generation removed from slavery, served in WWI. My uncle served in the Korean War and we have numerous cousins, nieces and nephews currently serving in the US Armed forces. ?As James Baldwin once said, the black American has just as much of a claim to the rights and privileges of this country as anyone else because we built it. ?Furthermore, black American’s have fought for this country since before it even was a country, just look at Crispus Attucks. So on this 4th of July weekend, I reflect on the complexity of this country. The contradictory nature of its foundation, and the It is the epitome of a BOTH/AND, it is at once both great and terrible all at once. On this day, I hold these two truths understanding this history, I celebrate the freedom that I enjoy with gratitude for those who brought that freedom about for me. The American Flag is my flag too. Happy Fourth of July.