Let's Talk About It
So I’m having a conflict….
The country is in a place right now where I feel as if everyone is on edge. But, it’s also the first time in my life where I feel extremely hopeful. As many problems as America has, surprisingly, I’m hopeful. So, here I am. I have four blog/instagram post for the 4th of July….and the country is on fire. Like literally…
The 4th of July is next Saturday. Like any other holiday during my life, I have always celebrated it. I love celebrating pretty much any holiday. Food, fun & day off of work…hell yeah! Growing up my house always looked like a Macy’s catalog exploded because my Mom loved themes and decorating her house. And as an adult, I love it too. At Christmas, my house looks like Dr. Suess and Mickey Mouse got into a tinsel fight and both sides won. And to be honest, besides Christmas, July 4th is one of the holidays I like celebrating the most. I’’m not sure why, maybe I like red, white & blue together?
Now, before anyone lectures me on how Independence Day started and how it didn’t included Black people…I know. See what most people don’t know about me is that I actually have a couple of bachelor’s degrees. One being in history. I studied American history as well as modern European history a lot. Like a lot a lot, and even now. I’ve studied the positives and the extreme negatives about this country. And btw…a lot isn't even taught (It’s a shame!). I know when the Declaration of Independence was signed and said “All Men”…it really meant “All White Men.”
But, to me, we must look forward. We can’t forget to look back because we have to make sure we know where we are going. This country has a long way to go, but I can’t deny that this the same country that birthed some of greatest black people. Like Jackie Robinson. Was he treated fairly, hell no. But without Jackie Robinson, there would be no Russell Wilson. Without Maya Angelo and James Baldwin, there would no Kendrick Lamar or J Cole or HER. Without Frederick Douglass, there would be no Barack Obama. Or without Marcel Collins, who was a college educated teacher, hairstylist and softball coach in the 50’s & 60’s, there would be no Jasmin Leger Kish.
I get that this country has a dark stain on it and it has a lot of rectifying to do. To me, the 4th of July isn’t about celebrating this country for what is has done or is…but acknowledging the potential for what it could be. I mean, that’s what the Declaration of Independence was originally written for, the potential of a country. And based off of what I’ve been seeing…I think we are headed in the right direction. Unfortunately, it has taken longer than it should have.
So, I think I’m going to post some fun 4th of July content. I totally get if you don’t celebrate or even acknowledge this day. Or you’re conflicted. It’s complicated, it always has been, especially now. But one of the positives of about the USA is that you can choose to do whatever you want on this day. Eat a hotdog, sleep until noon, go protest for Black Lives Matter. I think what’s going to work for me is while posting the superficial fun content, I’m going use my platform and my love of history and share some great Black Americans. Some you may have heard of, some you may not have. I love you guys so much and thank you for supporting for all these years!
To quote Barack Obama …”I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together, unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we want to move in the same direction—toward a better future for our children and our grandchildren.”
*Artwork by Nicole Roggeman
xoxo