As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, I am reminded of Frederick Douglass’ powerful 1852 address. I encourage you to join me in reflecting on his speech this weekend, an excerpt of which is included below: 

“I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.”

To learn more about Douglass’ speech and watch his descendants recite the speech in 2020, check out this resource from the National Museum of African American History and Culture: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/nations-story-what-slave-fourth-july.