The meaning of July Fourth for the Negro

"I am not included within the pale of glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. ÑThe 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."

This speech of Douglass “The meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” was delivered when America was in the middle of the civil war, therefore the contest was relevant.  The speech underscores the injustice of the celebration of the Fourth of July for the “Negro”.  This commemoration was solely for the white man, not a celebration of all mankind.  Furthermore he declared “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine.” He is pointing of out since African Americans were subjugated, they were not citizen of the United States, therefore they do not feel that compassion, that belonging as far the July fourth celebration is concerned.

I believe that Douglass as a crucial point here. America is celebrating the Fourth of July, their Independence Day in other words their freedom from the British colonists, whereas other fellow Americans are still facing injustice, deprived of their rights and freedom. Even if our constitution is stating those famous words “All man are created equal.” Somehow African Americans at that time felt that marginalization in their own country.  Douglass, a former slave would understand.

ANOTHER STAB OF THE CONSTITUTION

"In every state, naturalized citizens are allowed to become governor; the rules for the presidency should follow suit."

   In this article Allow Naturalized Citizens to Be President by Akhil Reed Amar, the author strongly believed that naturalized citizen should be allowed to run for office if they so desire. For him, since naturalized citizens can assume the role of Governors in the United States, so why can't naturalized Americans who decided to adopt this country as their own, cannot have the same privilege as "natural-born American" to run for President?

 This quote is by far the most intriguing passage in this article in my opinion. I could not disagree more with Mr. Akhil Reed Amar. I believe that the US is not ready to at this stage for a naturalized citizen President to lead America. Of course, the US is the most democratic country worldwide. However, even democracy has its own limits. Let's backtrack a bit. In 2008, the first African American elected as President of the USA, Barack Obama. Remember, those people referring themselves as "Birthers" who challenged the president to put his birth certificate to the table. The went by far saying that he was born in Kenya and therefore refute his candidacy as President. We both know, he is born in Honolulu, Hawaii to an African immigrant and white woman. This man, even born in the US by an immigrant is being scrutinized by certain people, how far would they go if a naturalized citizen were to become the president of the United States of America? I believe that is a food for thought. Again I am not saying we shall not see a naturalized American as president ever, however we are a long way for it to become a reality.