Why Black People Should Not Celebrate the 4th of July: Historical Trauma and Contemporary Challenges

The Fourth of July, celebrated as Independence Day in the United States, holds a complex and often painful significance for African Americans. While the holiday commemorates the nation’s declaration of independence in 1776, it also serves as a stark reminder of the historical and ongoing struggles faced by the Black community in America. This essay explores the reasons why many African Americans may choose not to celebrate the Fourth of July, examining the historical context, contemporary challenges, and the psychological impact of this national holiday on the Black community.

Historical Context

The foundation of African American ambivalence towards the Fourth of July lies in the historical contradictions between the ideals of American independence and the reality of slavery. The Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, proclaimed that “all men are created equal” with the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” However, these lofty principles were not extended to enslaved Africans, who remained in bondage and were denied basic human rights (Maulood & Barzani, 2020). This glaring contradiction highlights the exclusion of African Americans from the foundational promises of the nation.

During the time of the Declaration, slavery was deeply entrenched in American society. African Americans were systematically oppressed, dehumanized, and exploited, with no legal recognition of their humanity or citizenship. The celebration of freedom and independence thus rings hollow against the backdrop of their continued enslavement. As Frederick Douglass famously pointed out in his 1852 speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”, there was profound hypocrisy in celebrating freedom in a nation that enslaved millions of its residents (Williams-Washington & Mills, 2018).

The legacy of slavery has led to deep-seated trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among African Americans, stemming from the systemic dehumanization, violence, and exploitation they endured (Maulood & Barzani, 2020). This historical trauma resulting from slavery and its aftermath continues to resonate through generations, shaping the collective memory and experiences of African Americans (Williams-Washington & Mills, 2018).

Moreover, the contributions and struggles of African Americans throughout history have often been overlooked or minimized in mainstream narratives about American independence and freedom. This historical erasure contributes to a sense of alienation and marginalization on national holidays that celebrate these themes (Russell et al., 2021).

Contemporary Context

Despite the formal end of slavery, African Americans continue to face systemic racism, discrimination, and inequality in various aspects of life, including education, employment, housing, and the criminal justice system. The persistence of these issues underscores the incomplete nature of American freedom and equality for Black people (Russell et al., 2021).

High-profile cases of police violence against African Americans and the broader issues of racial profiling, mass incarceration, and disparities in the criminal justice system serve as painful reminders of ongoing racial injustice. The impact of incarceration on African American families contributes significantly to the trauma experienced within the community, as the disproportionate imprisonment of African American men has far-reaching consequences for their families and communities (King, 1993). Incarceration not only disrupts family dynamics but also perpetuates cycles of trauma and social disadvantage, further entrenching the systemic inequalities faced by African Americans.

National celebrations, including the Fourth of July, often reflect a dominant cultural narrative that can exclude or marginalize the experiences and perspectives of African Americans. This cultural exclusion reinforces feelings of not fully belonging to the national community and exacerbates the sense of alienation many African Americans feel on this holiday.

The intersectionality of stress, relationship disharmony, and self-care further complicates the experiences of African Americans, particularly African American women (“A Review of the Intersectionality of Stress, Relationship Disharmony, and Self-care Among African American Women”, 2023). Stress, especially race-related stress, significantly influences the experiences of African Americans and can have profound effects on their mental health and well-being (Griffith et al., 2013). The cumulative impact of racism, economic disparities, and social stressors contributes to heightened levels of stress experienced by African American men, underscoring the complex interplay of factors influencing their mental health.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

The legacies of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism have created intergenerational trauma within African American communities. This trauma can be exacerbated by national celebrations that overlook or ignore these painful histories. The colorist-historical trauma framework offers insight into the intergenerational transmission of colorism and its impact on the historical trauma response of African Americans (Crutchfield et al., 2020). This framework highlights how colorism, in conjunction with historical trauma, contributes to racial disparities and inequalities within society, perpetuating the marginalization of African Americans.

Many African Americans may experience conflicted feelings about the Fourth of July, balancing a sense of national pride with a critical awareness of the nation’s historical and ongoing failures to fully realize its ideals of liberty and justice for all. This internal conflict can lead to significant emotional and psychological distress, as individuals grapple with their identity as Americans and their experiences as members of a marginalized community.

For some, the Fourth of July serves as a day of reflection and activism, focusing on the need for continued struggle toward racial equality and justice. It can be an opportunity to highlight the gaps between American ideals and realities and to advocate for meaningful change. Experiences of racism and racial identity play a pivotal role in shaping the activism and engagement of African Americans in addressing social injustices and advocating for change (Szymanski & Lewis, 2014).

The trauma associated with the Fourth of July for African Americans is rooted in the contrast between the ideals of freedom and equality celebrated on this day and the harsh reality of centuries of oppression and discrimination faced by the community. The celebration of independence for the nation starkly contrasts with the ongoing struggle for liberation and equality for African Americans, highlighting the persistent disparities and injustices they endure (Russell et al., 2021).

The Fourth of July represents a point of trauma for many African Americans due to the historical legacy of slavery, systemic racism, and ongoing disparities that continue to impact the community. The intersectionality of stress, historical trauma, and racial discrimination contributes to the complex experiences of African Americans, shaping their mental health and well-being.

Addressing the trauma associated with the Fourth of July necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the historical context, systemic injustices, and social determinants that influence the experiences of African Americans in the United States. It requires acknowledging the painful contradictions inherent in celebrating national independence while recognizing the ongoing struggle for true equality and justice for all Americans.

For many African Americans, choosing not to celebrate the Fourth of July is a form of resistance against historical erasure and a call for the nation to confront its past and present failures in realizing its founding ideals. It is a reminder that the work of creating a truly just and equitable society remains unfinished, and that the promise of America must be extended to all its citizens, regardless of race.

As the nation continues to grapple with issues of racial justice and equality, it is crucial to recognize and validate the complex emotions and experiences of African Americans regarding national celebrations like the Fourth of July. Only by acknowledging this complexity and working towards genuine inclusivity and equality can the United States begin to heal the deep wounds of its past and create a future where all citizens can fully participate in the celebration of national independence.

References:

(2023). A review of the intersectionality of stress, relationship disharmony, and self-care among african american women. Journal of Women’s Health Care and Management, 4(4). https://doi.org/10.47275/2692-0948-150

Crutchfield, J., Hall, J., Ortega‐Williams, A., & Webb, S. (2020). Colorism and the poetics of resistance among black youth: an application of the colorist-historical trauma framework. Journal of Black Studies, 51(8), 813-831. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021934720935849

Griffith, D., Ellis, K., & Allen, J. (2013). An intersectional approach to social determinants of stress for african american men. American Journal of Men S Health, 7(4_suppl), 19S-30S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988313480227

King, A. (1993). The impact of incarceration on african american families: implications for practice. Families in Society the Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 74(3), 145-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/104438949307400302

Maulood, N. and Barzani, S. (2020). Trauma in august wilson’s the piano lesson. Koya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(1), 107-122. https://doi.org/10.14500/kujhss.v3n1y2020.pp107-122

Russell, J., Skipper, A., Rose, A., & Kennedy, J. (2021). Sanctification of couple relationships and communal coping in married and cohabiting african american couples.. Journal of Family Psychology, 35(8), 1128-1137. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000882

Szymanski, D. and Lewis, J. (2014). Race-related stress and racial identity as predictors of african american activism. Journal of Black Psychology, 41(2), 170-191. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798414520707

Williams-Washington, K. and Mills, C. (2018). African american historical trauma: creating an inclusive measure. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 46(4), 246-263. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12113

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