[Correspondent Column] Americans Who Cannot Celebrate Independence Day

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] For many Americans, July 4th is nothing short of a celebration every year. They watch colorful parades, enjoy barbecues with family and friends, and then witness fireworks lighting up the night sky. On that day, greetings are simply "Happy 4th."

July 4, 1776, was the day colonial representatives gathered to reject British colonial rule and announced the Declaration of Independence, which became the foundation of today’s U.S. Constitution. This is how Americans celebrate Independence Day.

This year, as life regained its vitality after the pandemic, the same was true. Macy’s department store, located in the heart of Manhattan, New York, changed its exterior decorations to red and blue?the colors of the American flag?starting in July. From ice cream to clothing, stores everywhere released so-called “The Fourth of July” editions. The highlight, of course, was the spectacular fireworks competitions held in major cities on the day.

At the climax of the fireworks, as the national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner” began to spread from someone’s lips throughout the streets of Manhattan, I was overwhelmed by many emotions. Many Korean Americans recall our own Liberation Day, which cannot be fully celebrated due to the pain of national division and the unresolved task of purging pro-Japanese collaborators, when witnessing such scenes.

However, not all Americans welcome Independence Day. On a day when clothes reminiscent of the American flag can be found everywhere, some deliberately choose to wear black. Elizabeth, a New Yorker I met just before Independence Day, said, “I will wear black again this year,” adding, “It’s a day I cannot enjoy as a celebration.” Emily, from Louisiana in the southern U.S., also pointedly asked, “Can some people’s independence be considered America’s independence?”

Let’s return to the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776: “All men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This declaration, which became the founding ideology of the United States, was it truly valid for everyone? Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the essence of America and sometimes even a source of pride. But who exactly are the “all men” who can enjoy these rights? Were Black slaves, Native Americans, and women included? Sadly, the answer is “No.”

This year, the atmosphere was even more turbulent as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the so-called “Roe v. Wade” decision, which guaranteed women’s abortion rights, after 50 years, just before Independence Day. Even in the 21st century, women’s right to self-determination was ultimately not recognized. On social media, campaigns urging people to wear black and resist the “great human rights crisis” instead of celebrating Independence Day were widespread, with slogans like “Women’s choice is dead.” This seems to pose a question to American society once again: As of 2022, does everyone truly enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?

The majority of Americans who cannot celebrate Independence Day call for reflecting on history and abolishing hidden discrimination for a “freer and more equal America.” The message of Frederick Douglass, a former slave and civil rights activist who never stopped fighting for human equality throughout his life, remains valid today: “Right is of no sex, truth is of no color.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.