New in U.S. News Opinion by Albert R. Hunt: On the 250th anniversary of America's independence – July 4, 2026 – our country may well be led by a man who is the antithesis of real patriotism: Donald J. Trump. https://lnkd.in/esTRBpVm
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Today, as the nation celebrates its independence, we reflect on the words of Frederick Douglass, who asked, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" For many, this day symbolizes freedom, yet for Black communities, it also underscores the persistent injustices born from colonialism, slavery, and racial capitalism. At BLIS, we honor the struggle for true liberation. We acknowledge the historical and ongoing pain inflicted on Black communities, and we are reminded that the journey toward genuine freedom is far from complete. Today, let us remember the contradictions of our nation's history and commit to the ongoing fight for equity, reparations, and reparative justice. Together, we can build a future where every individual, regardless of race or class, is truly free. https://lnkd.in/gYvCAmS2
A Nation's Story: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
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I serve clients by providing top talent through real connection. I serve candidates by providing options that fit their goals. I lead by example and effect positive change through humble dedication with integrity.
This coming Thursday is the United States of America's 248th birthday. We used to call this holiday "Independence Day," and I believe that's still its official name. However, it's strange how, nowadays, people usually just call it by its date; "July 4th," or "The 4th of July." Why did we change the language in common speech? Maybe it's because of that old song, Yankee Doodle Dandy. Most of us know that we celebrate our independence from the tyrannical rule of the colonies by the monarchy in England. My question today is, Are we truly 'Independent?' Sure, we're no longer ruled by a foreign nation's monarchy in the political sense. We govern ourselves, don't we? The individual states are always vying for more of their own power in the language of the law, versus that of the federal government. That sounds like independence to me. 50 different sets of independence, all in somewhat of a conflict. Maybe we should depend more on one another. I mean that in the sociological & political senses, but also in the individual sense. Too much dependence is probably bad, but our own individualism seems to have created more division now than ever. I believe we each need others. Our sense of pride and self-importance may be more toxic than we realize. We don't all have to do everything on our own, and our own opinions and perspectives should not be all that matters to us. Let's be more considerate of each other! I need you, and you need me. We're in this together! What do you think about this subject? Please leave your comments below. Thanks! And, let's think more about others than our own hot dogs or firecrackers this Thursday.
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"The quest for liberty and justice is ongoing and that we must continue to fight for an America that truly represents its founding values and all its citizens." Robert F. Smith #InspiredByYou #OnRepeat "The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. They were great men, too, great enough to give frame to a great age. It does not often happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such a number of truly great men. The point from which I am compelled to view them is not, certainly, the most favorable; and yet I cannot contemplate their great deeds with less than admiration. They were statesmen, patriots and heroes, and for the good they did, and the principles they contended for, I will UNITE with you to honor their memory..... Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” - Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852 (except from the source linked below) “If we must celebrate, let’s do so only for the promise of this country, the ideals of freedom and equality that have yet to come to fruition. 'We the people' means all of us…There is no future without We the People." Emily O. Weltman, M. Ed. https://lnkd.in/eV_FMdZd "#Leadership is all about people, inspiring people to believe that the impossible is possible developing and building people to perform at heights they never imagined... Inspiring your team to become the very best version of themselves." Leadership First https://lnkd.in/e9z7Mvcb #talent #government #mindset #behavior #futureofwork #innovation #jobs #economy #belonging #diversity #equity #inclusion #power #money #cultureofmoney
As we celebrate the 4th of July, it is crucial to reflect on the deeper significance of this holiday and its ties to Black history. July 4 commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, marking the birth of our nation. Yet, for many Black Americans, the day has complex and deeply intertwined meanings with our ongoing struggle for true #freedom and #equality. Frederick Douglass eloquently addressed these complexities in his famous 1852 speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, where Douglass challenged the nation to live up to its ideals of liberty and justice. Throughout his remarks, he passionately highlighted the glaring contradiction between the celebration of freedom and the continued enslavement of Black people. Understanding this history is essential as we celebrate #IndependenceDay. It reminds us that the quest for liberty and justice is ongoing and that we must continue to fight for an America that truly represents its founding values and all its citizens. My passion for recognizing and contextualizing Black history in America’s broader historical narrative is rooted in the belief that understanding our past is vital to shaping our future. By recognizing the contributions and struggles of Black Americans, we honor their legacy and continue to work toward a more #equitable society. Happy Independence Day. Read more. https://s.si.edu/4bugTun
A Nation's Story: "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"
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Regional Process Improvement Manager at Fairmont. Embodying Love, Respect, Joy &Collaboration | Driving Excellence, Enhancing Guest Experiences, Fostering Innovation
Leadership will outlast the leader! As we celebrate this Fourth of July, let’s take a moment to reflect on the room where it all began—the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This historic act on July 4, 1776, marked the birth of a nation dedicated to the principles of freedom and democracy. Here are a few fascinating facts about the American Revolution: 1. The Boston Tea Party, a pivotal event leading to the revolution, was a protest against a mere 3% tax on tea. Imagine the impact this tax had in igniting a movement for independence! 2. The Declaration of Independence was signed in the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. This room witnessed the bold steps of our founding fathers as they committed to a new vision for America. 3. The original document was penned by Thomas Jefferson, who was just 33 years old at the time. His words have resonated through the centuries, embodying the spirit of liberty. 4. Benjamin Franklin, one of the signers, was the oldest delegate at the age of 70. His wisdom and experience were crucial in shaping the new nation. 5. Independence Day wasn’t declared a federal holiday until 1870, almost a century after the Declaration was signed. As we honor this day, let’s remember the courage and foresight of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. Wishing everyone a joyful and reflective Fourth of July! 🎆🇺🇸 #IndependenceDay #FourthOfJuly #AmericanHistory #Freedom #DeclarationOfIndependence #CelebrateFreedom
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Abraham Lincoln was shot on April 14, 1865, in the Ford Theatre in Washington, D.C., and he died on April 15, 1865. He was America’s 16th and arguably its greatest president thus far. He was the first person elected from the Republican Party as president of these United States in the presidential election of November 6, 1860. The Republican Party had been founded six years earlier in 1854 by antislavery democrats after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Lincoln served as president during the American Civil War between the slavery-supporting Confederate States and antislavery Union (1861-1865). He signed the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, and it became effective on January 1, 1863. His Emancipation Proclamation became the underpinning for the three immediate post-civil war amendments to the U.S. Constitution — the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments — which began the process of granting equal rights to all Americans. He was not a perfect man at all, but he did some great things for the United States. Lincoln is one of the eight U.S. presidents who’ve died in office: four died by assassinations, and four from natural causes. Abraham Lincoln, JFK, MLK, and many other great Americans were killed just because they wanted America to be true to what it said in its Declaration of Independence and Constitution— equality for all — but a certain group of Americans didn’t want that. I love Abraham Lincoln like a trusted ally. #history #worldhistory #ushistory #americanhistory #globalevents #northamerica #abrahamlincoln #uspolitics #usconstitution
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When describing America’s story, I find myself reflecting upon the words spoken by Frederick Douglass, the great orator, abolitionist, American Official and Diplomat, and giant of American History: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress”. The American Story is just that- one of trials and triumphs; one of progress, but never without its share of struggles to achieve said progress. This description applies to the tumultuous birth of The United States, the growth of the nation, and is essential to understanding the story of civil rights in America. The story of African-Americans in America is woven into the very fabric of our nation, and today, we are fortunate to celebrate our collective story. On this day in 1865, the news of emancipation and the end of The Civil War finally reached the enslaved African-Americans of Galveston, Texas, marking yet another milestone in America’s story- concrete advancements in the eradication of chattel slavery in “the land of the free”. While this would eventually come to fruition via The 13th Amendment to The Constitution, ratified later that year, Juneteenth became a celebration of liberation and freedom for all immediately after the news was delivered. Festivities took place in the streets of Galveston, and the first annual celebrations began in 1866. While many states had already formalized the holiday, The United States officially recognized the day in 2021, making it the newest federal holiday. Today, we take the time, not only to celebrate, but also to reflect upon all of the brave Americans who struggled tirelessly to ensure progress was achieved and to hold America accountable to the ideals to which she holds herself. I wish a Happy Juneteenth National Independence Day to all!
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"The first step toward getting somewhere is to decide you are not going to stay where you are." John Pierpont Morgan
America has always been divided as a nation. That’s one of the great freedoms and unique qualities of this country. We aren’t ruled by a singular belief or ideal. The crucial components of that freedom has always been centered around our abilities to work through those differences and find ‘common ground’. But ‘common ground’ requires common sense and common decency. We seem to have lost our way when it comes to these two vital aspects of our American values. During his 1965 SOTU address, President Johnson stated “Though total agreement between the Executive and the Congress is impossible, total respect is important”. The same notion must apply to all Americans. We shouldn’t rely some utopian view, that our political leaders will somehow unite all Americans. In fact, we should never hope to be united…we should only strive. Our divisions are what our democracy is built on. Our differences are what make America great. I hope we can restore our respect for one another despite those divisions and differences…that is where we are broken. We must return to civility and respect for one another…common decency and common sense. If we can’t model these behaviors and teach our children to do the same, all is lost. Happy Independence Day to ALL and God Bless America!
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Liberty and Order: The First American Party Struggle - OA PDF: https://lnkd.in/gicRuSxk Liberty and Order is an ambitious anthology of primary source writings: letters, circulars, debate transcriptions, House proceedings, and newspaper articles that document the years during which America’s Founding generation divided over the sort of country the United States was to become. With this significant collection, the reader receives a deeper understanding of the complex issues, struggles, and personalities that made up the first great party battle and that continue to shape our representative government today. Within three years of the inauguration of the new federal Constitution, America’s revolutionary leaders divided bitterly over the policies most appropriate for the infant nation. Within five years, two clashing groups were winning thousands of ordinary voters to their side. Within adecade, the collision had resulted in a full-blown party war. There has never been another struggle like it. These were the first true parties in the history of the world—the first, that is, to mobilize and organize a large proportion of a mass electorate for a national competition. More than that, these parties argued at a depth and fought with a ferocity that has never been repeated. The Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans—the friends of order and the friends of liberty as they sometimes called themselves—were both convinced that more than office, more than clashing interests, and more, indeed, than even national policy in the ordinary sense were fundamentally at stake in their quarrel. Their struggle, they believed, was over nothing less profound than the sort of future the United States would have, the sort of nation America was to be. Each regarded the other as a serious threat to what was not yet called the American way. And from their own perspectives, both were right. This first great party battle is, of course, completely fascinating for its own sake. Between the framing of the Constitution and the War of 1812, the generation that had made the world’s first democratic revolution set about to put its revolutionary vision into practice on a national stage. #Liberty #Order #AmericanFounding #FoundingFathers #AmericanParties #PartySystem #Federalist #AntiFederalists #Jeffersonian #Hamiltonian #UnitedStates #nationbuilding #politicalrhetoric
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Presidents' Day Reminder: A number of presidents benefited electorally from “the peculiar institution,” especially the four earliest presidents from the then-largest slave state, Virginia. To understand why, one must go back to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 when Southern delegates argued that black slaves should be counted as complete persons, while Northern delegates didn’t want them counted at all since they were not citizens and couldn’t vote. To get over this hurdle and create a unified nation (their highest priority), the delegates decided to negotiate: the North proposed counting black slaves as half a person, and the South countered with three-quarters, so they compromised at three-fifths. Atleast 12 chief executives—over a quarter of all American presidents—were slave owners during their lifetimes. Of these, eight held enslaved people while in office. Of the 12 presidents who were enslavers, more than half kept people in bondage at the White House. For this reason, there is little doubt that the first person of African descent to enter the White House—or the presidential homes used in New York (1788–90) and Philadelphia (1790–1800) before construction of the White House was complete—was an enslaved person. Constructed in part by Black slave labor, the home and office of the president of the United States has embodied different principles for different people. For whites, whose social privileges and political rights have been protected by the laws of the land, the White House has symbolized the power of freedom and democracy over monarchy. For Blacks, whose history is rooted in slavery and the struggle against white domination, the symbolic power of the White House has shifted along with each president’s relation to Black citizenship. For many whites and people of color, the White House has symbolized the supremacy of white people both domestically and internationally. Photo: “Behind the Myth of Benevolence.” By Titus Kaphar plays with what lurks beneath our country’s founding fathers’ facade of greatness and benevolence.
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July 4th, also known as Independence Day in the United States, is to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. This historic document, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, declared the thirteen American colonies' independence from British rule. Key aspects of the meaning of July 4th include: 1. Celebration of Freedom: It marks the birth of the United States as an independent nation and symbolizes its commitment to freedom, democracy, and self-governance. 2. Patriotism: The day is an opportunity for Americans to express their patriotism and pride in their country through various traditions, including fireworks, parades, and patriotic displays. 3. Reflection on History: It's a time to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices made by the founding fathers and others who fought for independence and the ideals of liberty and justice. 4. Unity and Community: Independence Day also serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and coming together as a community to celebrate shared values and heritage. 5. Cultural Significance: The holiday is deeply ingrained in American culture, with various customs and practices have evolved over the years, contributing to a sense of national identity. Overall, July 4th is a day to celebrate the historical significance of the Declaration of Independence and the principles upon which the United States was founded. #America #Independance #FoundingFathers #Sacrafices #GarySilverthornLeadership
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