As in previous years, many of us participated this week in community readings of Frederick Douglass’s compelling speech “What to the slave is your Independence Day?” These gatherings are valuable for reminding and inspiring us to re-commit to the unfinished work of achieving racial justice in this country.
This year I believe we need to ask that question more broadly, for all Americans, in light of the Supreme Court’s July 1 decision that made a mockery of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. What does it mean to celebrate the Fourth of July in a week when the Supreme Court has ruled that the President of the United States is above the law?
Instead of having parades and barbecues, I think the best way to observe the Fourth of July, 2024, is to demand that the so-called justices who signed that ruling be impeached for violating their oath to uphold the Constitution. Today I left phone messages for Representative McGovern and Senators Markey and Warren, urging them to take action on this critical matter. I think all concerned citizens need to speak up on this, and do everything that we can to prevent Donald Trump from being elected in November. If we fail to come together and act decisively now, we must wonder (to paraphrase the words of Frederick Douglass) “What to those who treasure freedom will be the Independence Days of the future?”
Amy Leos-Urbel
Northampton