Should Blacks celebrate Independence day?

July 4 1776 when the founding fathers signed the deceleration of independence and sent it to England,Blacks were enslaved.Whites had their independence,but blacks were enslaved untill 1865.Apparently the "all men are created equally" line in the piece didnt extend to Blacks.
So why celebrate something that your ancestors didnt benefit from?Blacks even fought in the revolutionary war,but basically fought for nothing because they didnt receive any independence.

 

In 3, 2, 1- CBQ is going into lecture mode.


Hahaha, I am kidin', am kiddin', before you verbally whip my blk behind.

 

Hi Mailkom

you can't live in the past forever, sometimes it's ok to forgive and forget. There is a brother in the white house, that is a good reason to celebrate on 4th of july


:smt023:drinkers:

 

It's not about living in the past.

 

As a society we have evolved...not sure how much, depends on who you ask I guess.

All Americans should celebrate Independence Day, regardless of the past.

What about Native Americans? They were forced from their homelands (then moved around again for the Land Run), beaten until they assimilated into "white ways," many were forced to abandon their culture, those that tried to gain freedom were seen as threats and were hunted and killed.

Not trying to make this racial. But we should be thankful we live in a country that affords us many opportunities and freedoms...I mean some places you can't even go on the internet!

 

Actually,many native americans dont celebrate american holidays.

Especially thanksgiving,it has a whole different meaning to them than to everybody else.

 

You’re damn right we should celebrate Independence Day, we live here too. And as long as there are white women around we’re really not going anywhere.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those flag-saluting, gung-ho conservative types. But if you're willing to represent:

1. What street you live on
2. Your neighborhood
3. Your city
4. Your state
OR
5. Your favorite sports team

Why not represent your country? I'm not proud of its racist history to manifest destiny, but I honestly wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I love this country, the President isn’t bad either.

For example; there are New York Yankee fans who hate George Steinbrenner with a bloody passion, but they are die-hard Yankee fans nonetheless.

There are certain things about this country that make me sick to my stomach sometimes, but the freedoms that this country enables one is beyond no other.

You gotta take the good with the bad I guess. It’s kinda like being married. You may hate a lotta things that your wife does, but that doesn’t mean you love her any less. Or at least it shouldn't.

 

Yep, women couldn't vote until the 1900s, should they celebrate? The founding fathers definitey had flaws, and the US was not a free country for all in the beginning.

At least the scripters had the foresight (or some other power was at work) to make the Constitution flexible for change when the people demand it.

If a sufficient number of Americans (state by state) feel strongly about something, the Constitution can be amended. (Voting rights for minorities and women, repealing slavery, e.g.)

Look at the 4th as a celebration of the US Constitution which is after all which serves as a model for other nations and also is what we pledge our federal oaths to (vs a monarch or leader).

 

That is a good point. I,too,think Independence Day should be celebrated by all Americans.In the end everybody has to decide for themselves though whether or not to celebrate it.

 

LOLOLOLOLOL
:smt037:smt037:smt037:smt037:smt037:smt037

 

I'll say this: As a kid, it struck me that the type of shallow patriotism that came so easily to White people in the suburbs -- flags for various holidays, patriotic songs, blah blah -- wasn't part of the lifestyle of my African American friends in the city. Not just because wearing a red white & blue pantsuit is lame, either.

It seemed like patriotism was something that White people here can take for granted, until it becomes just one more windsock to hang out your front door. And it seemed like it wasn't that way for Black people in the United States. White people are comfortable with the notion that this country belongs to them. That is not something many Black people I've known feel, and why should they -- this country hasn't exactly embraced Black people, or treated them as equal citizens, even in my lifetime.

However, I've noticed a shift since Obama was elected. Ta Nehisi Coates noted a YouTube just after the inauguration of a Jay Z concert where someone was waving a giant flag. I hope that shift carries over to this year's independence day. I hope that Black Americans are able to enjoy all the dopey, lame patriotic nonsense that White Americans do, without any of the reminders that this is "their" holiday because it is "their" country. Not because we live in a post-racial country, or any of that bullshit, or because racism is over, because it's not. Things aren't perfect. But Black people have done as much in this country to make it what it is as any overweight White guy on the back of a truck in this year's parade, and no matter how many problems we still have in government, with a Black man at the head, I hope that this year White people & Black people (and others) can rightly see this as "our" country, and "our" holiday.

 

dammit, I guesss green zorro was right. :smt012 LOL

 

Excellent post. They did have lots of flaws, and like Learning2fly (I think) said, we have evolved. Let's all celebrate our evolution as a society and realize that we can't change the past, we can only help shape the future.

 

btw, Happy Juneteenth!

 

Yeah, that warrants a seperate thread!

 

Good idea:

http://www.whitewomenblackmen.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11342

 

Co-sign.:smt023

 

I think every American should celebrate Independence Day. It's the birth of our country. I know this American will

 

black americans and those who vote, pay taxes and enjoy the freedoms i think they should

 

I am not going to deny myself ribs and fireworks.