‘The conscience of the nation must be roused’: Black Atlantans share thoughts on Fourth of July

Today commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, thereby liberating America from Britain. Nevertheless, African slavery remained highly prevalent in the nation, resulting in the absence of true freedom for any enslaved individual of African descent. In actuality, they were granted freedom on June 19th, 1865, almost a century after America gained their independence.& Since Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, countless Blaxck American citizens have questioned their role in celebrating the Fourth of July, as they feel the holiday does not pertain to them. Frederick Douglass’ speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” encourages the audience to realize that Independence Day does not call for celebration amongst anyone in the Black community.& “The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced,” Douglass said.& He emphasizes the sanctimony of the Declaration of Independence. It reads that all men are created equal, but there was an entire race of people who were enslaved. Due...