The other day I saw a sister wearing a shirt with a picture of the American flag, and it read, “America, Celebrate Freedom.” I asked the sister, whose freedom? She just smiled, shrugged her shoulders, and went on. Last week, a majority of Black folk and Negroes around the country celebrated Juneteenth with pic niggas and parades. Many others sought to honor those ancestors who made it to freedom, by remembering them through the Sankofa Experience, and visiting the sacred sites of their resting places. This year, July 4, 2005 will mark the 229th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, most quoted as declaring “all men are created equal.” And Black folk and Negroes from sea to shining sea will get an extra day off, and be out at the park or in their back yard pickin’ niggas, eatin’ pork and shootin’ off fireworks. Some will be dressed from head to toe in red, white and blue, and wearing shirts with pictures of the American flag, and words such as “Celebrate Freedom.” But, I must pose this question to my people specifically. Whose freedom are you celebrating?Let me give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you are not familiar with the history. In 1619, Africans were brought to the so-called New World (America) as so called indentured servants, but unlike the white indentured servants who came by choice, they were forced into chattel slavery (this means chained, branded, and inhuman treatment). In 1776, on July 4, when the Declaration of Independence was signed by a few slaveholders, rapists, and land stealers, Africans were still enslaved and being kidnapped to be sold as property on the auction block. Our Ancestors were disrespected, disgraced and their dignity was stripped away. They were not even considered humans, and this justified the horrific manner in which they were treated. So, perhaps some of you can understand why its hard for me to understand why some Black folks go around, wearing shirts with pictures of the American flag, which read “Celebrate Freedom,” when in 1776, our African Ancestors had been in bondage in this so called “land of the free,” for 157 years. Therefore I must ask the question again, “Whose Freedom?”
This year before you go and purchase that side of beef, those pork ribs, hot links, chicken, red pop and fireworks, stop and ask yourself, “What is possessing me to want to pic a nigga,” and most importantly, “How can I celebrate the oppressors freedom, when my people were still enslaved?” Never forget, “there is no dignity without freedom, and always remember, Aluta Continua, the struggle continues.