Here's an "Independence Day" commentary I wrote in my first year as a columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Believe or not, this piece, which I thought was well-reasoned and rational, elicited calls for my termination, hundreds of complaints and a couple of death threats. In reflection, it's just as pertinent today as it was some 15 years ago.
By
Sylvester Brown Jr.
Originally Published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Thursday, 7/3/2003
"NO MATTER THAT patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots."-- Barbara Ehrenreich, author, columnist
Friday is Independence Day. It's a day of celebration, fireworks, brats and longnecks. For many, July Fourth is one big patriotic bash. For me, it's a day of somber reflection and mixed emotions. I'm all for a party but I have one pesky little caveat: I need to know why I'm partying.
Black people had nothing to celebrate on July 4, 1776 -- the official day enacted by Congress. Black "independence" came nearly 100 years later with the passage of the 13th Amendment. But hey, independence is independence, right? While some celebrate freedom from the Brits, I can celebrate freedom from the shackles. Or can I? My problem is finding a guilt-free party on the Fourth. See, I tend to gravitate toward a pretty rebellious bunch. I can't help it. I admire people who challenge injustice, those who want to change the world for the better. But their idea of a party Friday will include shutting down the Metro or demonstrating somewhere else.
Many of my friends challengeU.S. U.S.
Like I said, I've always been drawn to discontents. That includes the patriotic rabble-rousers of days gone by.America
It may be easy to dismiss allegations that public dollars are squandered on new educational initiatives. It might be comfortable to ignore charges that minorities aren't getting a fair share of tax-financed construction projects. But wasn't it a response to unfair taxation that led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773? Angry colonists dumped chests of tea intoBoston America
Activists have climbed the Arch and blocked highways to make a point. History has shown us that patriots have risked even more. In 1770, Crispus Attucks became the first casualty of the American Revolution. He was shot and killed in what was later described as the Boston Massacre. In 1776, the British hung Nathan Hale as a spy. On his way to the gallows, Hale uttered words that still inspire activism: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
Organizations affiliated with the local American Friends Service Committee mounted many demonstrations before and during theIraq England England , Penn founded Philadelphia
History gives many more examples of patriotism that go against today's popular definition. Today's activists have nothing to apologize for. Patriotism comes in many forms. Some celebrate what the country is, while others celebrate what it has the potential to be.
So party on,St. Louis
"NO MATTER THAT patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots."-- Barbara Ehrenreich, author, columnist
Friday is Independence Day. It's a day of celebration, fireworks, brats and longnecks. For many, July Fourth is one big patriotic bash. For me, it's a day of somber reflection and mixed emotions. I'm all for a party but I have one pesky little caveat: I need to know why I'm partying.
Black people had nothing to celebrate on July 4, 1776 -- the official day enacted by Congress. Black "independence" came nearly 100 years later with the passage of the 13th Amendment. But hey, independence is independence, right? While some celebrate freedom from the Brits, I can celebrate freedom from the shackles. Or can I? My problem is finding a guilt-free party on the Fourth. See, I tend to gravitate toward a pretty rebellious bunch. I can't help it. I admire people who challenge injustice, those who want to change the world for the better. But their idea of a party Friday will include shutting down the Metro or demonstrating somewhere else.
Many of my friends challenge
Like I said, I've always been drawn to discontents. That includes the patriotic rabble-rousers of days gone by.
It may be easy to dismiss allegations that public dollars are squandered on new educational initiatives. It might be comfortable to ignore charges that minorities aren't getting a fair share of tax-financed construction projects. But wasn't it a response to unfair taxation that led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773? Angry colonists dumped chests of tea into
Activists have climbed the Arch and blocked highways to make a point. History has shown us that patriots have risked even more. In 1770, Crispus Attucks became the first casualty of the American Revolution. He was shot and killed in what was later described as the Boston Massacre. In 1776, the British hung Nathan Hale as a spy. On his way to the gallows, Hale uttered words that still inspire activism: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
Organizations affiliated with the local American Friends Service Committee mounted many demonstrations before and during the
History gives many more examples of patriotism that go against today's popular definition. Today's activists have nothing to apologize for. Patriotism comes in many forms. Some celebrate what the country is, while others celebrate what it has the potential to be.
So party on,
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