What the Fourth of July Means, p.21
Dublin Core
Title
What the Fourth of July Means, p.21
Description
"When giant fireworks, pin-wheels, sparklers, and cap pistols are being used to celebrate the Fourth of July, nothing is farther from mind of the average child than what Independence Day really means. Little fellows who throw torpedoes on car tracks usually do not realize that they are celebrating the signing of a notice that we were free of England’s rule; and the winning of a war that began with the shooting of a martyr, Crispus Attucks.
Independence Day was not officially given to colored Americans until January 1, 1863, when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and put into effect.
Little brown citizens of the United States should know, however, that their fathers were really free when this country became free. This is true, because no people are really slaves who have fought on the winning side in a war for liberty.
Paul Revere, Anthony Wayne, Nathan Hale, and George Washington are the heroes for all America’s peoples, because they led and fought armies to which all men were admitted.
Neither bravery nor ambition recognizes a color line, and the world respects every American because he is a part of a land in which first blow for a great democratic principle was struck.
Every colored boy and girl can pledge allegiance to the American flag and remain loyal to that pledge because we are citizens of the United States, citizens who fought for its liberty, and citizens who must now fight it until it gives us all the liberty and freedom any other citizen possesses."
Independence Day was not officially given to colored Americans until January 1, 1863, when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and put into effect.
Little brown citizens of the United States should know, however, that their fathers were really free when this country became free. This is true, because no people are really slaves who have fought on the winning side in a war for liberty.
Paul Revere, Anthony Wayne, Nathan Hale, and George Washington are the heroes for all America’s peoples, because they led and fought armies to which all men were admitted.
Neither bravery nor ambition recognizes a color line, and the world respects every American because he is a part of a land in which first blow for a great democratic principle was struck.
Every colored boy and girl can pledge allegiance to the American flag and remain loyal to that pledge because we are citizens of the United States, citizens who fought for its liberty, and citizens who must now fight it until it gives us all the liberty and freedom any other citizen possesses."
Creator
N/A
Publisher
Baltimore Afro-American
Date
1934-7-7
Collection
Citation
N/A, “What the Fourth of July Means, p.21,” African American Fourth of July, accessed April 28, 2024, https://africanamerican4th.omeka.net/items/show/94.