Distinguishing Independence Day and Liberation Day
The terms Independence Day and Liberation Day seem to overlap, and people often think of them as one. Nevertheless, distinguishing them is crucial because they are not correlated. Independence Day marks the end of colonial rule and the creation of a sovereign nation, while Liberation Day celebrates the end of occupation or oppression by foreign forces. Both days commemorate the struggle for freedom and self-determination, but have distinct historical contexts.
The difference between Independence Day and Liberation Day in the United States is obvious. Independence Day is celebrated on July 4, signifying independence from a ferocious British monarch. Liberation Day is a public holiday with a different essence, and it was celebrated on June 19 in the United States. Therefore, U.S. Independence Day commemorates their victory over ruthless British rule and the divide-and-conquer principle. It was declared a federal/national holiday to honor valiant freedom fighters and is celebrated nationally with numerous events.
Liberation Day in the United States was proclaimed on June 19, 1865, signifying the emancipation of all enslaved African Americans (Khou 11, 2020). The president correspondingly declared it a federal holiday. This holiday celebrates African American culture and is primarily a symbolic gesture to guarantee all Americans’ personal and human rights (Harriot, 2022).
Both holidays are declared federal/national holidays and celebrate the sovereignty and freedom of all American citizens. However, Independence Day celebrates the freedom of the 13 colonies that were separated from the clutches of Great Britain (Khou 11, 2020). On the other hand, Liberation Day celebrates the freedom of African Americans.
The Origins and Significance of Juneteenth
Independence Day was granted on July 4, 1776, and Liberation Day on June 19, 1865. July 4 is considered the nation’s first Independence Day, and June 19 is the nation’s second Independence Day. The federal holiday, which first appeared in the U.S. only in 2021, is associated with the abolition of slavery. The holiday’s name goes back to the famous declaration by Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army, who issued an order in Texas on June 19, 1865 (Harriot, 2022). This act announced that under the Emancipation Proclamation, all slaves were free. A few months later, the 13th Amendment was ratified in the United States, abolishing slavery in the last states that did not obey President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation.
Racial Inequality and Modern Struggles in the U.S.
Nevertheless, the situation of black families in the United States, despite the improved financial situation of Americans, still leaves much to be desired. According to the Federal Reserve, the average equity of white families in 2019 was $188,200, 7.8 times that of black families (Malberg et al., 2020). African Americans have the second-highest poverty rate after Native Americans. For every dollar earned by white Americans, only ten cents is earned by blacks (Malberg et al., 2020). Poverty and disenfranchisement of the black population have led to a rise in radical activism in recent years, which, while very controversial for many African Americans, is gaining momentum.
For many years, Juneteenth was known primarily by African Americans. It took on new meaning in the context of the events of 2020 (Malberg et al., 2020). It was during the protests that swept across the country following the killings by police officers of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rashard Brooks, and several others from the African American community.
Later, President Joe Biden signed a bill establishing Emancipation Day as an official federal holiday. These days, Americans celebrate the 158th anniversary of the final eradication of slavery in the country. They hold celebratory dinners and gatherings, organize civil rights actions, hold festivals and other events celebrating the history of African Americans and their cultural heritage, and hold numerous concerts. However, numerous country residents recognize that race relations are still an acute problem today. Much more needs to be done to achieve equal treatment of whites and African Americans by law enforcement agencies in the country.
Nikki Giovanni’s Literary Voice and “Allowables”
Nikki Giovanni’s work has made a huge contribution to American literature. Giovanni became prominent in the late 1960s as one of the leading authors of the Black Arts Movement, which arose under the influence of the Civil Rights Movement. Most of her poems represent a strong, militant African-American point of view, and she has even been called the Poetess of the Black Revolution. In the 1970s, she began writing children’s books and co-founded the NikTom Ltd publishing company to provide an outlet for other African American women writers (House & Giovanni, 2020). In the following decades, her work touched on social issues and the theme of human relationships. “Allowables” is no exception and is one of her most well-known works, with a profound meaning.
At first glance, it may seem that the lines written by the author are simple and describe a woman afraid of a spider. However, after reading the poem several times, it becomes clear that its primary idea is to emphasize the role of the struggle for equality while ignoring any fears. “Allowables” focuses on parity, cognition, personal and collective identity commitment, and the fight against social and racial inequalities (Giovanni, 1972). It investigates various aspects of African American culture and background, expressing a desire for liberation from the constraints imposed by society.
The author does not merely discourse on the issue of progress; the message is to deliberate on constructing an equal community without suspicion or prejudice. This poem is not the only one in Giovanni’s oeuvre that was written in support of members of the Black Arts Movement. During the same period, she wrote militant poems about race relations, and her work continued to have a revolutionary orientation even after the movement officially ended.
She fills much of her work with gentle images of craft, used as figurative language to refer to something else. For example, the poem Felt was written later and dealt with the experience of aging (House & Giovanni, 2020). It reflects how time wears out all things; it reminds one that history and old things are not useless, but their purpose can be adjusted or their essence reworked.
At the same time, the author glorifies courage in “Allowables.” The poem is imbued with a voice and strength that inspires African Americans to identify and assert their selves and to fight against systemic suppression (Giovanni, 1972). Allowable contributes to a positive and empathic image of black people, declaring their right to self-expression and self-determination. In this way, “Allowables” becomes an essential piece of literature that enables African Americans to reflect on their ventures, strengthen their individualism, and overcome systemic barriers (House & Giovanni, 2020). It is a source of motivation and compassion that helps to shape and alter the African-American literary canon.
References
Giovanni, N. (1972). Allowables. In Black Judgement (p. 10). Broadside Press.
Harriot, M. (2022). Is Juneteenth A Black Holiday? [Video]. The Grio. Web.
House, M., & Giovanni, N. (2020). Toni Morrison: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations. Melville House.
Khou 11. (2020). Juneteenth: 1865-2021 [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Malberg Dyg, P., Christensen, S., & Peterson, C. J. (2020). Community gardens and wellbeing amongst vulnerable populations: a thematic review. Health Promotion International, 35(4), 790-803. Web.