Happy 4th! - What Black Bloggers Are Saying on the 4th of July- Tribute to Black women.

Perhaps the greatest battle is before us, the fight for a new America: fearless, free, united, morally re-armed, in which 12 million Negroes, shoulder to shoulder with their fellow Americans, will strive that this nation under God will have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, for the people and by the people shall not perish from the earth. This dream, this idea, this aspiration, this is what American democracy means to me.
Mary McLeod Bethune, What Does American Democracy Mean to Me

Enjoy your holiday. I thought I would continue a holiday tradition here on What About Our Daughters? By providing links to what other Black bloggers are saying about "Independence Day"

What If? Women - "What if I honor the declaration of 1863?" ponders how she as an African American can celebrate the 4th of July. She posts a portion of the Declaration of Independence, a Famous Frederick Douglass speech, and the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Field Negro -This 4th of July let's remember these words from Field Negro Douglas.
He says he can't wish American "Happy Birthday" this year because he says he's "still pissed off about Scooter, the Supremes, the war in Iraq, and a President who thinks that you only belong to him and his friends. Oh yeah, and I still can't get Katrina out of my mind!"

Afro-Netozen- "The Signers of the Declaration of Independence were Brave Men" He provides the full text of a famous Frederick Douglass speech about African Americans celebrating "Independence Day"

Prometheus 6 has a hysterical clip up called "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country."

LaShawn Barber has the text of the Declaration of Independence.

The SuperSpade has an interesting post called "What is Independence?" - they ask whether we are "independent."

As for moi, I have to wonder what Mary McLeod Bethune or Frederick Douglass would write about today? Sweet Jesus. What would they say about the state of Black America today? Can you imagine if you got Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, George Washington Carver and crew and sat them down in front of a flat screen and made them watch "Flava of Love", "Charm School", "Hot Ghetto Mess", "106 and Park"? What would they say about the state of the Black family, education, incarceration rates, AIDS? What would they say about the " leaders" who have replaced them or the institutions they died trying to establish? Perhaps we should have a WWTS (What Would They Say) essay competition?

I love this country. There is no other place I would rather live at this point in history, national psychoses, "isms" and all. If you know of a modern day Mary Mcleod Bethune or Frederick Douglass who is talking about this stuff, let me know.

You can actually listen to Mary McLeod Bethune's speech, " What Does American Democracy Mean to Me."

Comments

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to say that I think lumping 'Charm School' in with all of the other 'ghetto-fabulous'(as if) programming isn't entirely fair. Not only did it de-glamorise certain stereotypes (unwashed g-strings, bad weaves and 24/7 trash talk are *not* 'fabulous'), but it held a mirror up to these women and forced them to observe and be responsible for their own behaviour. Many of the women in that show seemed to appreciate a reality check in their lives, even if it was on 'reality tv'. And the prize wasn't a 'sweep you off your feet' million dollars with strings (and inevitable tax penalties) attached. It was a much needed leg-up that, if not invested wisely, would evaporate almost immediately. The show forced accountability and the immediacy of consequences on a group of women that seemed to deny both. I enjoyed watching the last few episodes; I would probably watch a new season if they made it. Someone has to address the harm washed up gangsters and negative stereotypes are causing to these women. I thought 'Charm School', while flawed, made an effort.

[Alysia]

I agree. Charm School was a step in the right direction and it's clear that Mo'Nique really put her heart into it. I saw the reunion and I honestly got chills at the end when she was speaking to one of the girls because she really tried to make a difference in their lives. Also, I think we as black people who would like to see positive change in the black community should focus less on changing how other races percieve black people (negative stereotypes etc.) and more on individual achievement in our lives and for our race. I mean I think that is the reason why the Black Panthers fed young children breakfast every morning (despite the stereotypes that existed then) instead of doing something to i dunno... make black people "look better." If you know what I mean.