Pastor Al Sharpton’s Take on America’s Independence

Frederick Douglass once called for a Declaration of Independence specifically for African Americans in 1852. Then, Martin Luther King Jr. echoed that sentiment in 1963. Fast forward to today, and Pastor Al Sharpton is speaking out again.

During the recent 35th anniversary conference of the National Action Network, Sharpton stated that the upcoming 250th anniversary of America isn’t really about celebrating Black Americans. He even labeled it “crazy” for them to wear birthday hats at what he sees as other people’s festivities. However, that perspective might overlook some crucial historical nuances.

The Declaration of Independence isn’t merely a record of what the nation was at the time; it represents ideals of what the country ought to embody.

Back in 1776, slavery was a deeply entrenched and normalized practice. The concept of equality was not a governing principle for any society; monarchies, theocracies, and feudal systems dominated. Yet, July 4 of that year marked a transformative change.

This declaration didn’t immediately erase the contradictions surrounding slavery. In fact, it highlighted them. Every American who enslaved others became a living contradiction to the nation’s founding ideals. This situation was unsustainable, and it led to conflict.

What Sharpton overlooks is an important detail. Among the 28 grievances listed in the Declaration, one directly targeted the slave trade. Interestingly, even Virginia, a state that practiced slavery, tried to limit the slave trade through taxation, only for the king to veto that effort. Thomas Jefferson called out the problem by name and later advocated for abolishing the slave trade altogether, drafting provisions that would prohibit slavery in several future states. The history surrounding this is certainly more nuanced than some portray.

Even the founders acknowledged their own failings. Jefferson, for instance, expressed a deep fear that a righteous God would punish the nation for its injustices. While Washington freed his slaves posthumously, the founding generation ignited a conflict that eventually erupted into the Civil War, claiming over 600,000 lives in the battle over slavery’s morality. This wouldn’t have been possible without Independence Day.

While Sharpton is justified in pointing out the hypocrisy of the founders, his interpretation of the significance of July 4 is flawed. The suffragettes adapted the manifesto to include their struggle. Douglass used it as a weapon against slavery. King resonated with its ideals at the Lincoln Memorial. The civil rights movement, women’s rights, and other movements for equality have continually turned to these foundational documents for inspiration.

The Declaration serves not as a commemoration of America’s past but as a vision of what it can still become. For those descended from enslaved individuals, July 4 is more than someone else’s celebration; it represents a touchpoint in their fight for freedom.

As we approach the 250th anniversary, it’s essential for all Americans, especially those with ancestors who have fought tirelessly for equality, to embrace what this promise can mean for everyone.