250 Years but not Mine

It’s hard to celebrate 250 years of independence that don’t actually belong to me.

This is a white man’s holiday, one that doesn’t match up with my blackness, my female identity, nor my disabled status.

Black people were not free until June 19, 1865 and Juneteenth is a product of that. From 1776, that puts us 89 years behind.

But even that mostly held for black men. Women did not gain independence until 1920, when the 19th amendment was ratified. So add on another 55 years to the 89 years behind.

As for disabled persons, asylums have yet to be banned. Sure the movement to deinstitutionalize sped up in the 1970s, but once people were removed from these horrific institutions, what safety net was built to catch them? None. In fact, mental health was quickly defunded leading to the mess we now find ourselves in.

So forgive me if I’m not praising these last 250 years of America.

That independence does not belong to me. I am still a captive of my poor country’s failings, toward black people, toward women, toward the disabled and many other minorities as well.

Instead of celebrating the independence of white male Europeans, maybe we should review our history and the systems that came from it to ensure independence for all.

The birth of a nation can be commemorated, sure, but don’t forget its growing pains and the work that still needs to be done.

Enjoy your 4th of July, but never forget the rest of us.

Arishama