Feel weird celebrating Independence Day in 2020? Here’s why, fam
United States history is dominated by racist white supremacy; it’s always been this way. And Independence Day is no different.
One could ask what’s the big deal? Or question, haven’t Blacks celebrated the holiday before with their cookouts? All very valid questions.
However, it’s safe to say some Blacks in this country are unlearning what they were taught in school and are now beginning to learn the facts.
Truthfully, July 4 was never about Black independence. It is about white independence and it highlights centuries of Black dependence.
Celebrating the Fourth of July on our own terms
So, if there’s no reason for Black people to celebrate the Fourth, what will they actually be doing? Some Twitter users are choosing not to celebrate the holiday at all.
Na. Fuck this country https://t.co/cIgUdmGXyq
— Baked Griffin (@RackedupJon) June 30, 2020
my mom really got upset about me saying i’m not celebrating 4th of july… last i checked black people live in fear that they may not live another day due to racial injustice…
— syd (@taurussyd) June 27, 2020
I better not see any of y’all black asses celebrating the 4th of July…
— Floyd™️ (@FloydSoRandom) June 1, 2020
Others will be celebrating in their own way. Or maybe, in ways that they’ve already been celebrating in.
black people NEVER celebrated the 4th of july. we just used that day to get together with family, eat some good ass food, and pop fireworks. dassit.
— jasmine (@jaassyy) June 29, 2020
Somebody said something so true. I don’t know no black folks who ever really celebrated the 4th of July. It was just an excuse to cook on the grill 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— BIG Dj Lowkey (@DjLowkey_ME) June 29, 2020
I think the misconception is that many Black people celebrate July 4th because of “Independence Day”, umm no. I was just told to get dressed up, pop some fun fireworks, see my family, and eat! Who thinking about America’s independence??
— 📝WEALTH💰 (@nakira_z) June 29, 2020
Juneteenth is America’s true Independence Day
Whether Black people are completely abolishing all of their Fourth of July festivities or popping fireworks, the point is not to celebrate the real meaning of the day. A lot of Black people have dubbed Juneteenth as their version of July 4th.
Juneteenth celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, informing the public that the Civil War was over.
As a result, slaves were freed. This took place two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
This year’s Juneteenth proved that more Black people learned about the day’s meaning. There were far more celebrations and events that were visible this year.
here are some of the photos of the Juneteenth event for the community put on by 2 young black girls that merced didnt report on pic.twitter.com/29tYxSFTZ7
— ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ (@kirbylover6969) June 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/HecisDEAD/status/1272347676772892673
#Juneteenth celebration and rally proceeds at Fed Hill park with protestors raising a Pride flag and a Transgender Pride flag, the latter of which has a Black fist in the center pic.twitter.com/PhqWxOePo8
— sameer k rao (@AManCalledSrao) June 19, 2020
Blackout Saturday
Black people are reclaiming their power and they will not let up. Protests and rallies for George Floyd and Black Lives Matter, in general, are still happening today.
Breonna Taylor has also not been forgotten. Black Twitter keeps reminding the world about how her killers have yet to be arrested.
The Fourth of July definitely won’t be the same this year. Expect to see crowded beaches and barbeques on every block, but also expect a shift.
Black Twitter users are planning to wear all black (and yellow) for Saturday. In addition, they plan on not giving their money to large corporations.
WE ARE NOT WEARING RED WHITE & BLUE for 4th of July . INDEPENDENCE DAY IS ANOTHER BLACK OUT DAY ‼️ WEAR YOUR BLACK IF YOU STILL WITH THE MOVEMENT ‼️
— Corshhh ✨ (@CoAndBoys) June 30, 2020
I hope we actively ignore 4th of July. Don’t “I just like cookouts and fireworks” your way into it. Try not to spend “extra” money with these corporations this week. 4th of July week is huge for retailers. Turn that dollar black!
— 🏁 K3V1N 🏁 (@KingMeKD) June 29, 2020
4th of july y’all better be in black and yellow pic.twitter.com/G5q5Nipwog
— car (@spideyfilmz) June 27, 2020
Say goodbye to red, white, and blue. And say hello to ALL BLACK EVERYTHING.