Rethinking Independence Day

 This is July 4th, 2020. Across the country we typically celebrate this day and being Americans with hot dogs and strawberry/blueberry desserts, pool days and sunshine, baseball and fireworks, old war movies and nostalgic music. This year in the midst of a global pandemic in which our country in particular has struggled to respond responsibly, during a nationwide call to address the centuries of oppression that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color have experienced, and in anticipation of an extremely divisive election season, it’s complicated at best to don red white and blue, eat some burgers and wave sparklers and flags.

Look at these total babes! 42 years!

In my family, this day has been somewhat of a family holiday because it is my sweet parent’s anniversary. We try to get together each year around the 4th and celebrate together. I’m grateful that this day has become a celebration of our family’s beginning rather than the idolatrous america worship that it can easily tend towards. “Independence Day” has been more of a convenient backdrop for food themes and decorations. And you know I love a good fireworks show.

This year, the pandemic keeps us from doing things we might normally do. Even though I don’t feel particularly patriotic, you know I love a reason to party and celebrate. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about this TedTalk with Vernā Myers who talks about how to overcome our biases. She makes a plea to all people: Acknowledge your biases. Then move toward, not away from, the groups that make you uncomfortable. She goes on to explain some of the research that’s been done about how to change our biases and says

“In fact, what the scientists are telling us, is don’t even think about color blindness. In fact what they’re suggesting is, stare. at. awesome. black. people.”

So, I’m spending this July 4th weekend doing exactly that. We’ve had Beyonce’s Homecoming special on netflix playing on repeat. We finally found out what all the Hamilton fuss was about last night. Everyone was right. Hamilton is great. Maybe I’ll watch Will Smith kill some aliens for america later. :) I don’t think there is anything wrong with getting in a celebratory spirit this weekend, but maybe, this year choose to celebrate by looking beyond the group of white men who declared independence 244 years ago and looking at the myriad of amazing cultures represented in our country. Here are some ideas for things you can do to go beyond Beyonce and Will Smith. :)

• Spend money only at local businesses owned by BIPOC. I think we’re going to need some pizza and cinnamon rolls this weekend from Slim and Huskys!
• Make a playlist and discover some new music. What’s more American than Jazz? Ahmad Jamal, Kamasi Washington, and Mulatu Astatke are a few I’m exploring.
• Ok but for real, watch Homecoming if you haven’t. It’s just such a good celebration of the amazing talent that comes out of HBCUs. Also The Last Dance brings some great 90s nostalgia and celebration of the GOAT Michael Jordan although, I’m more of a Pippen fan.

None of this is meant to imply that if you listen to Beyonce and Chance the Rapper you’ve solved racism. I just want to encourage whoever is out there reading this that this year, try to include something new in your celebration that highlights people who look different than you and our founding fathers.

Take 7 minutes to watch this if nothing else: Frederick Douglass’ Descendants Deliver His ‘Fourth Of July’ Speech