Watch Frederick Douglass' descendants recite and reflect on “What is Independence to a Slave”

Today, Let’s Celebrate Our Countries’ “Ongoing Struggles for Freedom…”

“On this 4th of July, the rest of us - and our wealthy white male allies - should be celebrating our ongoing struggles for freedom and not celebrating as if we are free.” - Ibram X Kendi in The Atlantic, July 4th, 2019.

Today, celebrate freedom. Wave the sparklers in your mask, pop the pop-rockets from 6’ away, and safely set-off the fireworks. But do so celebrating the “ongoing struggles for freedom” instead of celebrating as if we are free”.

How do we do that?

Eat red, white, and blue desserts. But do it while writing a letter to Captain Vanessa Wilson of the Aurora, CO Police Department - 13347 E Montview Blvd, Aurora, CO 80045 - to demand justice by firing the remaining police officers and arresting all three cops & the two EMT’s who killed Elijah McClain.

On the way to your socially-distanced BBQ, call and leave a message for Attorney General Daniel Cameron at 502-696-5300 to pressure him to bring charges against the cops who murdered Breonna Taylor.

While you’re watching the burgers on the grill, pull out your phone and sign a petition demanding justice for Tony McDade.

Instead of singing or listening to the problematic-at-best Star-Spangled Banner, with racist 3rd -verse lyrics, of which Francis Scott Key biographer Marc Leepson says …

“To me, that’s Key reacting as a slave owner…At the very least, these are not the sentiments of a man who has warm feelings about slaves or enslaved people and those who flew to the side of the British.

…consider watching or reading the Frederick Douglass writing above, or listening to a Juneteenth Playlist on Spotify, like the one found here.

Here’s the net: REIMAGINE INDEPENDENCE DAY BY TAKING ACTION TO REIMAGINE AMERICA.

Even if it’s reflecting on how it could be different, that’s the beginning. Take a moment to learn, to listen, to be present. Take time to be an advocate for change, to create that world we can all be free.

Don’t forget to sign up for text-message reminders on TAKE A KNEE | TAKE A STAND, where we can help you with things to learn, actions to take, and organizations to support to end racism.

Oh, and also, don’t forget to wear a mask.