Every 4th of July I reflect on the myriad feelings that seem to take over me. As I am surrounded by American flags and patriotism and good feelings regarding the inception of this nation, I often feel distant, unbothered, disinterested, and sometimes overwhelmed by the displays of patriotism. The comedian Roy Wood, Jr. had an old joke asking how many flags do you need to see in a neighborhood for you to shift from feeling patriotic to somewhat disturbed as a Black person. I have never forgotten that important observation and the current holiday season in this particular political moment is no different.
When I was growing up, the 4th of July was a time for my family to have cookouts with friends, maybe head to downtown Philly and watch the fireworks, catch lightning bugs late into the night, eat corn on the cob, and enjoy a long summer day that turned into an even longer summer night. Some of my favorite summer memories are around the 4th in Martha’s Vineyard in the sea salt air and always with family friends. For my family, the holiday was less about patriotism and more about a dedicated time to spend with loved ones. Like so many American holidays, I don’t necessarily feel connected to the origins of the holiday, but I so appreciate the opportunity to fellowship and reflect on the complicated ways that I fit into this country.
I am constantly thinking about whether or not I (or Black people writ large) can ever be true, full, and equal citizens in this country. There are so many ways this country tells Black people, and so many other groups, that despite America being an independent nation, free from British rule, the country will continue to exclude so many and fail to live up to the principles laid out so clearly in our founding documents.
The past few July 4th holidays I have been outside of the United States, which instills a different type of patriotism. It often conjures feelings of pride for all of the hard work and toil my ancestors put forth to help build America into the nation it is today. I am filled with a sense of belonging as I look across the ocean and think about the millions of Black people who have the right to claim America as their own, as complicated and turbulent as our history and our present may be.
Again, I will celebrate this 4th of July from across an ocean and think about the courage and bravery of so many millions upon millions of Americans who dared to dream about making it to and making it in this land.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of book “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream” and is co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.
Thank you for printing Frederick Douglas’s powerful fourth of July speech. It could have been delivered on July 4, 2025 and still be just as truthful, relevant, prophetic and Incisive as in 1852.
He quotes Shakespeare, the Bible, legal scholars on constitutional law!
What an amazing mind and man.
This should be required reading for
School curriculums. Many of our youth today lack the patience or comprehension to appreciate this document. I’m embarrassed to admit this is my first time (reading it in its entirety).
Great work Amsterdam News.
” Again, I will celebrate this 4th of July from across an ocean and think about the courage and bravery of so many millions upon millions of Americans who dared to dream about making it to and making it in this land.” When have Black Folks ever felt patriotic in a Country that has oppressed, enslaved, and raped our great, great, grandmothers? Why would we feel that way today when White Supremacy, hate, and lying has resulted in a convicted felon to become President ?
Vincent, you are absolutely correct. It is very difficult to feel patriotic in a country that is being run by a white supremacist, rapist, thief that has the morals of an alley cat.