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Happy Friday,
And happy "holiday" weekend, although it certainly doesn't feel celebratory. I appreciate how many people reached out about how to respond to Independence Day this year: should we protest? Boycott? Call our local officials to cancel their festivities?
It shows how thoughtfully everyone is reading and applying the concepts from previous newsletters, which I greatly appreciate. Thank you for being here.
As always, you can invest one-time on Paypal or Venmo (@nicoleacardoza) or monthly on Patreon to keep these conversations growing. I'm so grateful to be learning and unlearning with each of you.
Nicole
TAKE ACTION
1. Share parts of the "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" this weekend as part of your festivities (an image you can share on social is included below).
2. Create an annual tradition to share and reflect on these words with your loved ones.
If you're based outside of the U.S., consider how your country may be celebrating its independence when most of its people aren't free. Who are the voices that deserve recognition on your national holiday?
GET EDUCATED
I kept today's analysis brief because Frederick Douglass' words do that for us. Please read his speech in full.
Frederick Douglass, who escaped from being enslaved and became a prominent abolitionist, orator, writer, and social reformer, was invited to speak at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, held at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York (more on Frederick Douglass here). The Ladies Anti-Slavery Society of Rochester, New York, invited him to speak on July 4, but he spoke on the fifth in protest of the national holiday, as well as to commemorate July 5, 1827 — the end of slavery in New York (Travel + Leisure).
The speech, which is included in full at the link below, was delivered at a pivotal part of American history. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 had just been passed, which gave the federal government authority to capture people that were allegedly enslaved and return to their captors, even if they were in a free state (History). The book Uncle Tom's Cabin had just been published, and the upcoming presidential election was about to happen (Time). Together, these events would all provide the soil for the Civil War, and the civil rights movement that's still unfolding today.
Spoken nearly 200 years ago, the words known as "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" are a scathing critique of the failed promises of the Declaration of Independence to Black people enslaved. It acknowledges the contributions of the Founding Fathers while noting the hypocrisy of of these ideals with the institution of slavery (NMAAHC). Much of Frederick Douglass' words still ring true today. America, unfortunately, has still not lived up to its promises for all people.
Alternatively, you can watch five young descendants of Frederick Douglass read the entire speech in this video (NPR).
Share this image on social media using the hashtag #antiracismdaily.
PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT
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