Extra Blog: 4th of July in Washington, DC

This Wasn't a Normal 4th of July Holiday for Many Americans

While many Americans experienced 4th of July differently this year, with closed beaches in California, no firework shows in much of New England to discourage crowds gatherings, and parades being canceled, other Americans gathered on the lawn at the President's invite despite spiking coronavirus numbers nationwide and outrage for many Black Americans who were not granted freedom until June 19, 1868, almost 92 years after July 4, 1776.

Enslaved Black Americans watched 4th of July celebrations of freedom for their fellow White Americans for almost 100 years before being granted freedom themselves. This has been a new topic discussed on social media within the past few weeks and with the current political climate, was never, to my knowledge, addressed by the current President. The President named the event that took place yesterday on the lawn "Salute to America." It's almost as if he is asking us to salute a President who has proposed drafts to the Supreme Court to disrupt LGBTQ+ healthcare rights, call black people in outrage over a murder "thugs," and all while failing to demand justice for so many other lives that have been lost in the past months such as Vanessa Gullien and Breonna Taylor. When so many lives and lives of loved ones are being disregarded or not shown importance by the leader of our country, many people may find it hard to hold faith in our nation and our leaders.

In many of his press conferences or speeches like above, the President says "this great heritage belongs to citizens of every background and every walk of life, no matter our race, color, religion, or creed, we are one America." Although his words yesterday were those of unity, many of his previous actions and words were very divisive to minorities in this nation. Taking into consideration the social climate, in addition to the current pandemic, was it the best option to hold "Salute to America" on the White House front lawn yesterday? As an American, I think it is important to be proud of where I am from, love my country, but also recognize its flaws, be engaged in its political system, and push for a better tomorrow. We should recognize the 4th of July as a celebration of the beginning of continued growth, and that doesn't stop now or ever.