Independence Day: A Personal Reflection and Challenge
What are we really celebrating—and what more can we become?
Today, all over the United States, people will gather at barbecues and picnics, watch fireworks, and celebrate with family.
It’s Independence Day—July 4th—when our founding fathers declared freedom from British rule.
But was it Independence Day for everyone?
Were all people free?
Did everyone cast off the chains and yokes of tyranny on July 4th, 1776?
Go ahead—check your history. I’ll wait.
Did you find that there was a whole class of human beings who wouldn’t be free until 89 years later?
Even in our freedom, we planted the seeds of slavery.
And still—go ahead.
Celebrate the United States.
Because we are, truly, a great country.
Not because we’ve been perfect from the beginning—but because, since 1865, there have been those who struggled, who fought, who dared to believe in a more perfect union—one that includes all of us, no matter the color of our skin.
We are great because some people saw injustice and refused to stay silent.
They spoke out. They stepped up. They stood tall.
And many did so for those who did not look like them.
But now, here we are.
And I know—we’re going through a lot.
There are voices calling us back.
Back to a time when only some were free.
Back to a time when the union wasn’t striving to be perfect—it was content to be unequal.
So this year, I challenge you:
Celebrate this Independence Day as your personal Independence Day.
Declare your independence from hatred.
Declare your independence from prejudice.
Declare your independence from bigotry.
Declare your independence from ignorance.
Declare your independence from intolerance.
And yes—
Declare your independence from anyone who tells you that America will be great again only if they take away someone else’s freedom.
We are still striving for that more perfect union.
And it will take all of us—working together, side by side—to get there.
Sorry I’m a little late to read this message. Keep fighting for what you believe.❤️