Who truly loves America? The 250th country’s birthday reflection.
- SFJ
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
Who truly loves America?
Dancing and singing its freedoms
Holding and loving its neighbors
Crying and grieving its lost
Who truly loves America?
Stomping and shouting for justice
Spreading and separating its thoughts
Taking and breaking their brothers' spirit
Who truly loves anymore?
"...the more appropriate question is: what does freedom look like to you, to those who say they truly love America? Does your freedom envision me in bondage, or does it envision me free too? "
It has taken a long time to write these reflections. It is the eve of the 250th birthday of my country, America. During Black History Month, I reflected on the 250th birthday of this country and said that the 100th anniversary of Black history recognition is a reminder of 150 years of excellence that went unrecognized. Then, after spending most of June planning, organizing, and participating in various Juneteenth celebrations, we now arrive at the other holiday that encompasses freedom.
Last week, I attended a Juneteenth celebration in the wonderful town of Huntingdon, PA, which I described as an intimate event recognizing the historical contributions African Americans have made to the town and celebrating the freedom that Juneteenth represents. A name that came up in recognition was the late Greg Banks, a native of Huntingdon who envisioned a Juneteenth celebration in 2010.
What truly grabbed my attention was the racial makeup of the participants. Indeed, they were mostly white. As I watched our white brothers and sisters dance and celebrate alongside African American brothers and sisters, a random question entered my mind, which led to these reflections. “What does Juneteenth mean to white people, and what should it mean to all who love America?”
I ask the question, “What does Juneteenth mean to all who love America?” not as a rhetorical or spiteful question, but out of my own curiosity. In my current hometown, we celebrated and planned with a diverse group of people. Although I noticed the energy was different this year, we still celebrated. So this fits with my train of thought: if we see Juneteenth as a celebration of freedom, then what, to us, is the Fourth of July? Do we celebrate and recognize multiple freedom days? Do we see freedom as a progressive idea and journey, in which we recognize certain historical events that contribute to this tenet? There I go again, wondering without answers. But the more appropriate question is: what does freedom look like to you, to those who say they truly love America? Does your freedom envision me in bondage, or does it envision me free too?
What I think Juneteenth should mean to those who truly love America. If you see freedom as a woven fabric in the American cloth, then Juneteenth is as important as every star and every stripe on the flag you hold so dear. To those who love America, it is a sign that we are beginning to recognize freedom, understanding that it is a journey with multiple stops and that we have not reached the last stop yet; in some areas, we have taken a detour off the rails. I in no way will take away from 1776, but to me it did not declare freedom; it spoke of its willingness to begin the journey.
Terry Watson is a speaker, author, and trainer specializing in disability equity in education, racial justice, and law enforcement. Mr. Watson is the founder of Strategies for Justice and the host of Moses' People Speak: Race, Conversations, and Law Enforcement, and the author of Welcome to the Sick Mind of a Sane Person: Deconstructing Racism and White Supremacy.
Greetings Terry! Thank you for sharing,.. God Bless you, for your continuous leadership and commitment, and production of Strategies for Justice.