Millions of Americans were appalled by this spectacle and lots of Christians denounced it and Trump's message for the race-bating mess it was.
At the same time many racialized leaders were calling for a more reflective recognition of what it means to be American by turning to the words of a former slave of the 19th century, the great orator Frederick Douglass. In one of his speeches, which were often sermons because he drew heavily on scripture and biblical imagery of freedom for all peoples, he notes that for White Americans Independence Day is akin to Passover a celebration of liberation. He eventually asked the question , "what to the slave is the 4th of July?' This question resounds in the present day when Indigenous peoples, Blacks, People of Colour are asking what equality means in the United States.
As Canadians of faith we can be in solidarity today with American brothers and sisters who will be offering an alternative to the disastrous direction a great nation is heading. Many of them will be engaged in prayer and we can pray with them.
Here is a paragraph from Douglass's speech made 168 years ago before a group of abolitionists, those working to end slavery:
What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.
Six Grandfathers before Mt Rushmore carving commenced in 1927
4 comments:
Every time I read or hear ANY news from or about the USA today, it makes me SO glad to be a Canadian !
I suspect Trump will see the writing on the wall - not that he's able to read - and realize he will be blown away in the election. To avoid humiliation, he will resign and Pence will be running for President against Biden, with Biden winning by a landslide. I mean, look at Pence! He's almost as nutty(and evil) as the orange thing.
I do think it's unfortunate that another old white guy will become President. It's too bad Kamala Harris dropped out of the race. She would have been a breath of fresh air, much like Obama was after GW.
I'll be glued to the TV on election night. I can't wait for a change in leadership in the US. If this election doesn't result in the highest voter turnout ever, there's something wrong.
If everyone who Trump has alienated, insulted and demeaned - and worse - gets out to vote, it shouldn't even be close. Surely there can't be that many empty-headed rednecks there!
I agree about the news, Judy. I'm so grateful that the border is closed right now, but the rise of right-wingers in this country suggests that sewage is seeping under the locked door.
I'm with you about Biden, Roger. Surely the Dems could have done better than a candidate who will be 82 at the end of his first and likely only term? Still, I hope he trounces INSERT NAME HERE. You're right that Pence is no better that Trump. I do think Harris would be an excellent choice for Veep.
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