Independence Day (colloquially the Fourth of July) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence – Congress voted to approve independence by passing the Lee Resolution on July 2 and adopted the Declaration of Independence two days later, on July 4 1776 – the resolution basically declared the original colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states.
In 1870, Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees – in 1938, Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.
What exactly are we celebrating? The evolving colonies collectively agreed their relationship with Britain was not good for its people – so they drafted, signed and approved the “The Declaration of Independence” which states:
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
Basically, Britain and King George III were a problem for these evolving new and banding colonies because the colonies believed:
“…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”
And to this end (everyone is, or would eventually be equal), so it further states:
“…whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their safety and happiness…”
And, as needed, the people can alter the course/actions of government (Britain’s Govt in this case):
“…when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their (the people’s) right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security…”
Then the authors went on to list infractions (27 infractions, depending on how we read the original document) imposed on the colonies – the document then goes on to say:
“…In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury…”
And:
“…We have warned them (Britain) from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us…”
All that being said:
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled… …these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolve…”
No doubt a worthy event to be celebrated each year – in this case, a people group was being oppressed, unjustly treated, and marginalized by tyrannical government – clearly a bold and noble cause well-intentioned for the good of the people – one might even say, efforts of this nature should be protected, sustained and maintained, however… (hold my beer)
…the people group in this celebrated document only referred to, and protected, and spoke for were property/land owners, mostly White men of the colonies – our nation would then embark on a 250+ yearlong ongoing effort to actually apply these declared independencies to all people groups that find their way into our borders – meaning, a Constitution with many amendments to clarify, define, and outline the gist of “freedom, liberty and justice of all” (which turned out to be a moving target) – plus many new and evolving laws, resolutions, regulations, and statues addressing the historical game of legal whack-a-mole as unequal, unjust, and immoral behavior repeatedly raised it’s well funded self-indulging ugly heads throughout a rapidly changing new world.
To be fair we’ve really struggled at every turn in this challenging generational process to provide freedom, liberty, and justice for all – we’ve also made great gains subduing oppressive behaviors and protecting the oppressed – in all our challenges and gains, there are three things that are consistently true:
- Every gain we achieve on the path of enforcing the constitutional principles of this nation will have significant cost associated with it – there will be pain, suffering, blood spilt, and high monetary/financial costs – freedom, even freedom in “the land of the free” is not free.
2. What is written in our constitution and our laws has no value if we (as a nation) fail to enforce what is written – failing to enforce our professed values, beliefs, and principles makes us all out to be hypocrites and liars – just like in 1776, it’s up to us to step up, stand up and speak out against oppression, injustice, and marginalized practices.
3. “We the people” are tasked with the responsibility to drive, enforce, and reinforce these evolving much needed changes to standardize, apply, and sustain freedom, liberty, and justice for all.
It truly must be freedom, liberty, and justice FOR ALL – not just for some, or for political perspectives, or the wealthy, or the connected, or certain races, religions, belief, or sexual orientations – freedom for all has significant and specific meanings.
“Freedom” means: The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint – absence of subjection to oppression or despotic government – the state of not being unjustly restrained or imprisoned, or laid subject to injustice.
“All” means: Used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of a particular group or thing – completeness in number or participants – totality of a subject of persons or things.
“Freedom for all” means:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
“Freedom for all” also means: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Plus the remaining 27 constitutional amendments
“Freedom for all” also means: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Yes, we should celebrate Independence Day – we should also never stop working toward the totality and completeness of this critical national concept – that’s who we claim to be, that’s who we should be.
Happy Independence Day!
Kevin's Thoughts 