Independence Day:
Celebrating Our Progress While Honoring the Ongoing Pursuit of Equality
As Americans, we acknowledge and celebrate July 4th. We celebrate the achievements of this young nation and the ideals of rights and freedoms that have shaped our country over the past 250 years. At the same time, we recognize that the promise of liberty has not been—and, for many, is still not—experienced equally.
In 1776, the principles celebrated on July 4th were not extended to all Americans. Black people, whether born in the United States or brought here against their will, were enslaved and were not considered “persons,” but rather property. The glorious pomp and circumstance of Independence Day provide an opportunity to remember historical truths, many of which still sting the soul.
The contributions, resilience, and achievements of African Americans are an inseparable part of our nation’s history. Yet, alongside those accomplishments remain the lasting realities of discrimination, injustice, and fears that have never fully dissipated.
The Reconstruction Amendments to the United States Constitution marked significant progress toward fulfilling the promise of liberty for all Americans. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery. The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people, and guaranteed the equal protection of the laws, helping to extend the rights celebrated on Independence Day to all Americans. The 15th Amendment prohibited states from denying citizens the right to vote based on race.
Reflecting on this history, while confronting today’s ongoing challenges involving race, discrimination, equity, and disparate treatment, can be emotionally exhausting. That tension is real, as is the continued struggle for fairness and equality.
Despite 250 years of challenges, we, as a society, continue moving forward with hope, courage, and determination toward better days, a brighter future, and a more just and perfect union.
At the Law Office of Salesia Smith-Gordon, we commemorate Independence Day with reflection, honoring both the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead. We remain committed to justice, equality, and advocating for the rights of every individual.
* Salesia V. Smith-Gordon, Esq.
