Monday, July 9, 2012

The So-Called Independence Day

The recent Fourth of July was the first Fourth I had mixed feelings about. For so long, I always have been a Northeastern girl, so being patriotic was always part of my life. But last week, while watching the fireworks, I felt uneasy because at that moment because I was not sure what we were celebrating.

A number of Americans still have not experienced independence or equality. That includes people of color, people with disabilities, women, and other minorities. 

That brings the question, why do we celebrate the so called Independence Day while it only brought independence to one specific group of people, white and wealthy men? Why do not we recognize the day when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified, the day when Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, the day when Thirteenth Amendment was ratified, or so on as holidays?

There are plenty days when various groups gained rights, equality, independence. Unfortunately, that is not enough. We, people with disabilities, still face injustice. So do people of color, women, immigrants, and others. Inequality still exists nowadays; therefore, we should not celebrate the Independence Day until everyone can.

Next year, you will not be seeing me wearing blue, red, and white proudly. Instead, July 4th, 2013, will be an ordinary day for me. 

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