“The life of the nation 
is secure only while 
the nation is honest, 
truthful, and virtuous.” 
Frederick Douglass

As we celebrate the 247th anniversary of our independence, I think it would be wise to reflect on the words of Frederick Douglass, an American social reformer, writer, and statesman. On July 4, 1852, Douglass, a black man, gave the keynote address at an Independence Day celebration. In his scathing speech, Douglass stated, “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” He went on to pose a relevant question: “What, to the slave, is the Fourth of July?” The entire text of Douglass’ speech can be read HERE.

Today, 171 years after Douglass’ memorable address, I can’t help but consider the significance of the 4th of July in the lives of many women and men currently living in our country. Segments of the American population continue to be marginalized, excluded, harassed, and despised for a variety of reasons, most often related to the way(s) in which they are different from the stereotypical American. 

Honest? Truthful? Virtuous? I love this country, and there is no other country in which I would rather live, but we have a long way to go before we can truly celebrate our independence as “one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”