On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted in favor of American independence in a legal separation from Great Britain. On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence, after receiving its final revisions by its authors, most notably Thomas Jefferson, was officially approved. The Declaration of Independence declared that the thirteen American colonies were now united, independent states, that were free from British rule. This moment in time is without a doubt the most renowned moment in American History, sparking centuries of celebrations. A footnote worth mentioning is that the only two authors of the Declaration of Independence that went on to become United States Presidents, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, both died on July 4, 1826, the 50 year anniversary of Independence Day. Certainly, these types of instances can be mere coincidence, but their same day death’s on this 50 year anniversary hold an immense amount of symbolism when looking at how much of their lives were devoted to this very date in time.
In 1777, on the first official anniversary of the approval of the Declaration of Independence, thirteen gunshots were fired in Bristol, Rhode Island in the morning and in the night, additionally, people around the new nation celebrated. These celebrations became a longstanding American tradition, the gunshots have transformed into mesmerizing firework displays and the celebrations have continued to grow and unify the nation around the principle of freedom and national pride. In 1781, Massachusetts General Court became the first state legislature to officially recognize July 4 as a state celebration. One hundred years later, in the year of 1870, the U.S. Congress mandated that Independence day would be an unpaid holiday for federal employees, later changing it to a paid federal holiday in the year of 1938.
As glorious of a historical moment that this may be, not all Americans feel the same way about the day, and rightfully so. The same way that the people residing in the thirteen original colonies had to fight for their (our) freedom from British rule, a specific demographic of American people had to endure centuries of pain and suffering, before eventually fighting for their freedom from the ruling white class of Americans. It goes without saying that black Americans were not included in the original clauses that stated that “all men are created equal,” and that they are entitled to their rights of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” In fact, it was not until nearly 100 years later and after years of civil war that black Americans were freed from the atrocities of slavery. In the year of 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation declared that slaves in America “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” A common misconception was that this moment in time freed all of the enslaved people across the nation, and although it did do this for a large number of black Americans, these people were not truly freed from slavery until the passing of the 13th Amendment to the Consitution in the year of 1865. Black Americans were officially free, but what did that entail?
Although these historic acts of legislature ensured the legal right to their protection from slavery, it did not end the suffering that these people faced. Subject to brutal treatment and poor living conditions, racism in America continued to thrive while black America continued to struggle. It was not until another 100 years later, during which black America endured countless atrocities, even after serving honorably throughout both World Wars, that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted. The Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination based on the color of one’s skin, race, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a turning point in time for not just black Americans but various other minority groups, and even women. Nearly six decades later, the effect that this had and still does, on the nation, and even the world, is remarkable. Although there is much to improve upon, the United States of America has come a long way in positively changing its history with regards to the treatment of black Americans. The question is, is this enough? My answer - absolutely not.
As a personal trainer and nutrition coach, if there is one thing that I know, it is that real, sustainable change takes time. Not only does it take time, but it takes consistency in continuously performing the small actions that help an individual to reach, maintain, and surpass that goal. Transformations do not occur overnight, but the small, deliberate, and consistent actions that someone takes add up to gratifying changes in the grand scheme of it all. Why do I say this? I believe that American history is a perfect representation of this aspect.
The year of 2020 has been a year of pure chaos, from a global pandemic, national protests, to even intense military actions taken between different nations; 2020 has ensured us that we need to stay on our toes for the near future. Of these events, I’d like to specifically focus on the protests that will likely continue, if not increase throughout this holiday weekend.
First and foremost, I’d like to note that I support any individual or group’s right to a peaceful protest, it is one of the foundational aspects of our nation and it is the reason why change has taken place in the first place. With that being said, I’d like to remind everyone of my previous comments with regards to change; Transformations do not occur overnight. As I also previously stated, I believe that American history is a perfect reminder of this aspect. Independence Day may not have initially granted independence to all of the people residing in America, but it was a stepping stone. Although the men that signed and created this document had owned slaves, the Declaration was the first part of not just a new era of American History, but the start of a transformative history for the rights of minority groups in our nation. Although this date is based upon celebrating a moment in time when the nation became free from oppression, although some of the people within it did not, it should not be less celebrated by those that continue to fight for the rights of black and minority Americans. Instead, it should serve as a reminder. I encourage activists out there, before condemning our nation, to use this day to look at how far you've come in your efforts. There is not a single part of me that believes that there is not an immense amount of change that still has to occur. But by condemning the day of American independence, you are ignoring the massive strides that our country has made because of people like you.
I challenge everyone reading this to use this day as a reference point, look at how you, if you have legitimately taken part in advocating for these principles, have changed the meaning of American independence with regards to the black and minority communities. Look at how you have helped to transform American history. Look at historical monuments of people who once owned slaves as reminders of where you came from, reminders of what your ancestors went through, and reminders of what you continue to fight for each and every day. Remember that these reminders are there to ensure that this part of history never repeats itself.
Independence Day is a day that should be celebrated by all walks of life in America, although the reasons as to why you celebrate it may be different, although the views that you may carry on it may vary, the ability to invoke change in our nation wouldn’t be here if it weren't for the principles that were established on this date in the year of 1776. Change takes time, and this transformation has taken hundreds of years to get where it is and it will continue to transform as we move forward. My challenge to those of this great nation, of all races, colors, sexes, genders, religions, or political beliefs, is to come together for this one day, to look at how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. To look at this day not as an unfair start to the freedom of American people, but a turning point for the transformation of American history. United We Stand, Divided We Fall. We must remember the principles that brought us together in the first place; the pride in the nation that kept our ancestors here for centuries, the lives that were lost while fighting for these freedoms both at home and abroad, and the platform for change that we are able to utilize in hopes of equality and the indiscriminate rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness for all of the different people of this great nation.
I look forward to watching this nation continue to grow and transform into a better and safer place for all.
Stay safe this weekend.
Happy Independence Day.
Author:
Joshua Horn - Master Personal Trainer, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Bodybuilder, Marine Corps Infantry Veteran, Redcon1 Athlete.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshthehorn