What to us is the Fourth of July?, p.6
Dublin Core
Title
What to us is the Fourth of July?, p.6
Description
"The Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776 . This Saturday we celebrate the 155th anniversary of the day upon which our colonial forefathers determined to separate themselves from England.
The main part of the Declaration may be divided into three sections:
1. The declaration of the equality of man and the right of men who are outraged to determine their own form of government
2. In the second section, the tyrannies and usurpations of the English government are cited, and
3. Finally, the Declaration in its third section carries the announcement that the United States are free, and to maintain that freedom the signers pledge their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor”
The Declaration of Independence, now 155years old, is a serious and militant document. It states in clear language that the colonists had reached the limit of their patience, they had suffered long enough, they had determined to be independent , and announced and declared themselves willing to die for their cause.
The look backward over 155 years is not altogether heartening. The nation, founded upon the doctrine of the equality of all men, their right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, has not gotten far beyond the bare enunciation of the principles.
No black man’s life is safe in the lynching belt. His liberty to live, to sleep, to vote, to work, to travel and even his desire to seek happiness is restricted by his color and most often with the connivance of the national government and the support of the legislatures and the courts.
Not only is this true, but the single group among us, which believes in the brotherhood of man, and openly so declares; and in the spirit of 1776 asserts its willingness to live or die for its beliefs is the Communist group.
Readers of the AFRO-AMERICAN who have pinned their hopes on the so-called white Christian Church, the Y.M.C.A, the American Legion, or the Republican party, might take a few minutes this week to read the mighty document which has been permitted to degenerate into a scrap of paper.
It is a constant reminder that freedom comes when men become conscious of their own divinity are able to see the imperfections of tyranny and band themselves together to secure liberty or die in the attempt."
The main part of the Declaration may be divided into three sections:
1. The declaration of the equality of man and the right of men who are outraged to determine their own form of government
2. In the second section, the tyrannies and usurpations of the English government are cited, and
3. Finally, the Declaration in its third section carries the announcement that the United States are free, and to maintain that freedom the signers pledge their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor”
The Declaration of Independence, now 155years old, is a serious and militant document. It states in clear language that the colonists had reached the limit of their patience, they had suffered long enough, they had determined to be independent , and announced and declared themselves willing to die for their cause.
The look backward over 155 years is not altogether heartening. The nation, founded upon the doctrine of the equality of all men, their right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, has not gotten far beyond the bare enunciation of the principles.
No black man’s life is safe in the lynching belt. His liberty to live, to sleep, to vote, to work, to travel and even his desire to seek happiness is restricted by his color and most often with the connivance of the national government and the support of the legislatures and the courts.
Not only is this true, but the single group among us, which believes in the brotherhood of man, and openly so declares; and in the spirit of 1776 asserts its willingness to live or die for its beliefs is the Communist group.
Readers of the AFRO-AMERICAN who have pinned their hopes on the so-called white Christian Church, the Y.M.C.A, the American Legion, or the Republican party, might take a few minutes this week to read the mighty document which has been permitted to degenerate into a scrap of paper.
It is a constant reminder that freedom comes when men become conscious of their own divinity are able to see the imperfections of tyranny and band themselves together to secure liberty or die in the attempt."
Creator
N/A
Publisher
Baltimore Afro-American
Date
1931-7-4
Collection
Citation
N/A, “What to us is the Fourth of July?, p.6,” African American Fourth of July, accessed April 29, 2024, https://africanamerican4th.omeka.net/items/show/95.