I have always had very confused feelings about this holiday. As someone who is purported to have some Native American heritage (as well as English, African, German, and French to name just a portion what DNA comprises this mutt). I was certainly aware that the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were not thinking of my Native American Ancestors or the rights of women or the rights of GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) individuals or the rights of hose of African heritage when they declared:
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
When I goggled Native American and Independence Day I was not surprised to find some angry sentiments. At the same time I found a reference to some Native Americans who have co-opted the holiday.
“So it makes sense that, growing up, the Fourth of July would be a dark day for Hudson, a sad tribute to the country that tried and tried again to exterminate its native people and their culture. But it wasn't -- for Hudson, the Fourth meant "summertime, family, fireworks. You can't wait for the fireworks. As a kid you look forward to that celebration."
Hudson was not alone. Across the Fort Berthold Reservation-- what was left of it-- people partied on the Fourth of July. Sno Cones and barbecues, weaved together with older, indigenous traditions like powwows that would last deep into the night.
At the center of the festivities was the drum. "The beat of the drum means everything in the powwow," Hudson says. "It signifies the heart beat of a people. There are different types of dances, ceremonies, give-aways, acknowledgements."
So why were they celebrating?
"You know, this is the classic case of making something positive out of really desperate situations," says Matthew Dennis, a professor of U.S. history who studies the way Americans celebrate national holidays. He says we can learn a lot about ourselves as a country by looking at how the Fourth is celebrated on reservations like Fort Berthold.
"It is those who have struggled the most, and who've been forced to be the most creative, that have the most to teach us," Dennis says. "Forgiveness without forgetting, incredible creativity and resilience."
Weekendamerica.publicradio.org
There are many who live on reservations where poverty, substance abuse/addiction and lack of decent schools continue to do to the original settlers (at least in modern history) what wholesale slaughter no longer does, who are not able to find any way to co opt this holiday
While watching the morning news while on the treadmill at the gym this morning, I was informed that I should take the Independence Day quiz which was on the website of the station I was watching. With a lot of appreciation that I was doing this in private and my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Shepherd could not give me that look of grave disappointment when I failed, I took first that test and then others I found when I goggled independence day quizzes. My highest score was 67%, which I was quickly informed, was FAILING. I missed such questions as the number of amendments and the issue addressed in specific amendments. I also flunked the question about which president was from Texas. It was not George Bush. Lyndon Johnson was the only correct choice. Dwight Eisenhower was the other one who was not listed as a possibility. Oh well. None of the questions on the tests I identified asked anything-about Native Americans or how the taking over of one of the countries in the Americas affected them.
There was also nothing about how it is that the use of the term America to refer to the United States has becomes so commonplace as to be used by even those on the normally “politically correct: public radio. When I goggled the issues, “The United States as America” I got a number of hits detailing the complaints of many for Canada, Central and South America about the arrogance of the United States in acting as if it is the only country in the Americas. I was surprised to find that John Adams first used the term in his Inaugural speech in Philadelphia on March 4, 1797. He seems to use the terms United States and America interchangeably. One can read the entire speech by goggling “John Adams’ inaugural speech”.
Such erudite writers as Chris Kirk have stoutly defended the use of the term despite being criticized by individual by other American countries. He does acknowledge:
Chris Kirk on Slate.com
In Defense of Americans calling the U.S. America
As everyone knows, the right of Americans to be so called is frequently challenged, especially in Latin America,” American journalist H.L. Mencken wrote in 1947.* Today, the battle continues not just in bars but on the Internet. A Facebook group with 1,800 likes assures the Web that America is a continent, not a country. Wikipedia editors have squabbled over it. On urbandictionary.com, the top definition for “America” is: “A country that claims the name of an entire continent to itself alone for no compelling reason.”
Mr. Kirk’s defense, for which he makes no apology even after stating the above, is, in my humble opinion confirmation of why so many people from other countries perceive the United States with such distain.
I am well aware that in response to this blog I am likely to get a few people suggesting that I should “Love or leave America” as if any healthy relationship is allowed a single sentiment. I suppose that there may be those relationships, which are so pure that love excludes any thought of a negative; a relationship in which both people recognize that the other is perfection personified. Perhaps there are such relationships describing individuals, families, communities, states, countries or regions but I have yet to identify any.
It would seem to me that if I, as an individual, am ever able to take a step towards become the person “my dog thinks that I am” I must acknowledge, first to myself, the many ways I fail to live up to my own hopes of being a compassionate, non- judgmental person. It would seem to me that improvement, likewise, only comes to a country which can hold itself accountable and, when possible, make amends for all that it has done to treat others as less then. We in the United States might start by being accountable for the treatment of the Natives who were here prior to the “pilgrims”– then and now – the treatment of the relatives of the Africans brought to America as slaves Americans – the treatment of the immigrants who we feel free to use but then abuse and deride – the treatment of women and, yes, those who dare to love regardless of gender, color, disability, age, culture, religion or race. Perhaps then we could give some weight to the celebration of July 4th. Perhaps then I could find the words to have the discussion I wanted to have with my six-year-old friend Sam (You remember Sam with whom I have had a number of important discussions.).
On this July 4th, I will gather with courageous friends who do freely acknowledge such painful issues as those I raised above. We will enjoy food and each other company. Later, some will continue the celebration of love by watching firework displays. I will forego that part of the celebration because fireworks immediately remind me of gunfire and, thus, make me immeasurably sad. Obviously many are able to enjoy fireworks. I just am not one who is able to do so without thinking of war.
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