It’s the 4th of July y’all, which means all around the country people are congregating to binge drink and see how many burgers and hot dogs their stomachs can hold while lighting things on fire in honor of the signing and adoption of the Declaration of Independence 241 years ago. This is the one that states “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
This quote and the document it hails from are supposedly cornerstones of U.S. history and values, and the basis of the American dream which is why I, a black woman who knows far too well that equality in the U.S. is a myth, am calling bullshit and refuse to celebrate this oppressive pile of injustice we call a country. I will not celebrate the systematically racist government full of laws and policies that lead to the often overlooked deaths of black women and people of color at the hands of those meant to protect us. I will not celebrate a country in which 13 of the 15 trans women of color murdered this year have been black women. I will not celebrate a country currently run by fascists and white supremacists. I will not eat your bland potato salad. I will not celebrate a country that does not celebrate me.
If you’re not feeling the idea of spending your day off celebrating a country that prides itself on being built on the very backs of the black women and people of color it now murders, imprisons and never intended to protect, I got you. I invite you instead to spend it celebrating the strength and beauty of black women by listening to this dope playlist Alaina and I put together featuring the talents of amazing black women throughout history.
