On July 5, 1852, the previously enslaved abolitionist Frederick Douglass delivered his scathing Independence Day speech concerning the paradox of patriotism in an America that had handed its second federal Fugitive Slave Act. This infamous 1850 laws required legislation enforcement to arrest individuals they suspected of escaping slavery, on even the thinnest of proof. It additionally made feeding and sheltering runaways against the law punishable by six months in jail and a $1,000 high quality.
After praising the “the actually nice” and “courageous” signers of the Declaration of Independence, Douglass requested his Rochester, New York, viewers probably the most memorable rhetorical questions in U.S. historical past:
“What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?”
(His reply: “a sham…” “an unholy license…” “hole mockery…” “mere bombast, fraud, deception and hypocrisy…”)
Impressed by Douglass’ well-known query, 20 individuals ensnared in this nation’s sprawling prison authorized system answered this variation of it:
“What, to the presently or previously incarcerated American, is your Fourth of July?”
1. Franklin McPherson, 38
Shawangunk Correctional Facility, Wallkill, New York
As a modern-day American slave — as a result of that’s what I’m, thanks to a loophole in the thirteenth Modification that also permits enslavement as a punishment for crime — July 4th is filled with heartache, embarrassment and disappointment. It’s additionally a merciless reminder of how the prison authorized system is violating my eighth Modification rights in opposition to merciless and weird punishment.
So each Fourth of July — with a variety of feelings — I cry in my cell. I’m unhappy and confused about how a nation can have fun Independence Day when it forces tens of millions of prisoners to be reliant on the state for his or her primary wants.
And I’m indignant and pissed off as a result of individuals needs to be marching and rallying for Congress to [amend] the thirteenth Modification and for New York state to cease utilizing slave code-style legal guidelines on its prisoners.
Frederick Douglass mentioned it greatest when he known as July 4th “a day that reveals to [the slave], greater than all different days within the yr, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he’s the fixed sufferer.”
2. Kwaneta Harris, 53
Lane Murray Unit, Gatesville, Texas
Your Fourth of July celebration is our mockery. Your freedom music is our funeral dirge. When you wave flags and converse of liberty, we Texas prisoners labor beneath armed guards in scorching fields, our fingers bleeding as we decide the identical cotton our ancestors did. The overseers have traded whips for shotguns, however the cruelty stays.
And as a Black girl behind these partitions, I’ve the identical safety in opposition to sexual abuse that my enslaved great-grandmother did: little to none. In any case, the Trump administration not too long ago terminated all funding for the Nationwide Jail Rape Elimination Act Useful resource Middle, portray targets on our backs for predators in uniforms. With inadequate — and in some amenities, zero — obligatory documentation for in-custody pregnancies or assaults, the message is evident: It’s open season on incarcerated girls.
3. Terrence Willis, 42
Danville Correctional Middle, Danville, Illinois
Yearly, as we close to the tip of June, the information broadcasts discuss how many individuals are anticipated to journey for the Fourth of July weekend. Commercials promote the most effective methods for barbecuing. The guards go on about holidays they plan to take.
As I hearken to the anticipation, I inevitably discover myself imagining what it will be like if we — America’s incarcerated inhabitants — may get pleasure from only one Fourth of July. Or at the very least what the vacation claims to have fun: Independence. Equality. Freedom.
Maybe that phrase “freedom” has grabbed you the best way the Division of Corrections has once in a while grabbed me. Grabbed me out of line to silence me for speaking again, when all I actually did was query why. Grabbed me for a retaliatory shakedown for writing a grievance. Grabbed me to place me in my place.
What’s freedom to America’s modern-day slaves? A one-man cell? Extra telephone time? Buying just a few additional sweet bars at commissary?
This stuff, even if you’re the one having fun with them, aren’t freedoms. They’re pacifiers.
4. Jeremy Zielinski, 41
Woodbourne Correctional Facility, Woodbourne, New York
America has one of many highest incarceration charges on Earth. Nonetheless, nothing brings liberty to thoughts like listening to fireworks from behind a 30-foot wall. Are America’s prisons corrupt, oppressive and exploitative? In fact. However I have fun as a result of I can. I do know that independence isn’t a historic occasion, however principled defiance. It’s the ability of a thoughts that acknowledges its personal freedom from exterior management. If tyranny is a boot on the neck of a nation, liberation is utilizing your final breath to chuckle on the particular person carrying it.
5. Robert Havens, 55
Brattleboro, Vermont
I’m out of jail on furlough, beneath “group supervision.” However I’m nonetheless technically within the custody of the Vermont Division of Corrections. I’m solely “on the road” at their discretion.
As soon as I accepted a plea and conviction, the self-evident truths of equality and liberty had been considerably diminished for me. I did one thing mistaken, that’s true. I brought on hurt. I want I had not. A part of my pursuit now could be restore, however my tradition doesn’t appear to worth or settle for that. I’m now an “different.” However “othering” doesn’t defend us. It makes prison mindsets worse and reinforces the habits we don’t wish to see.
Simply as we cherish the thought of freedom as a rustic, we must always need life, liberty and happiness for individuals who do mistaken, personal that mistaken, and work at restore.
6. Jazzy Mason, 59
Bedford Hills, New York
I’m a Black girl, a mom, a healer and a queen. I survived incarceration, however I used to be by no means actually free, even earlier than that. I hear the phrase “independence” and consider how many people are nonetheless combating for the precise to easily be.
And but, even behind jail partitions, I remembered who I used to be. As a result of freedom isn’t fireworks — it’s reality. It’s with the ability to converse my title with out worry. It’s strolling in my function, with the sunshine of my ancestors in each phrase I converse.
7. Andres Arqueta, 35
FCI Williamsburg, Salters, South Carolina
The Fourth of July is meaningless to me, particularly whereas I’m incarcerated. It’s a robust reminder of how a lot freedom I don’t have; of how I’m separated from my family members, particularly my two sons.
After I was residence, the Fourth of July was simply one other excuse to have off from work and to barbecue with household and pals. Now that I’m incarcerated, it’s simply one other day that I would like to finish to get nearer to going residence.
8. Bryan Panarella, 34
Japanese NY Correctional Facility, Napanoch, New York
As a result of I’m now dependent upon the Division of Corrections, I can now not determine with the that means of Independence Day. The one factor that I discover particular is that it’s my sister-in-law’s birthday, which is a vacation within the eyes of all those that love her. I do know that my name places a smile on her face, particularly once I inform her how the world round her is celebrating her birthday. Fireworks mild up the night time sky only for her.
I additionally maintain on to one thing Angela Davis as soon as acknowledged: “Partitions turned sideways are bridges.” Her phrases remind me that the partitions I’m behind at the moment is not going to cease me from constructing the bridges essential to get my independence again sometime sooner or later.
9. Lucretia Stone, 52
Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Ladies, Clinton, New Jersey
I’m writing from the solely feminine correctional facility in New Jersey, which is paradoxically positioned on Freedom Highway. Annually, the Fourth of July additional solidifies one thing for me: Freedoms, liberties and justice are solely relevant to a few of America. With mass incarceration, the jail business has turn into a billion-dollar enterprise. In consequence, the incarcerated persons are being warehoused and handled like capital, as an alternative of human beings able to rehabilitation and alter. That’s why independence continues to be a dream deferred. However whereas my physique is enslaved as per the Structure, my thoughts will all the time be free.
10. Invoice Walsh, 46
Sing Sing Correctional Establishment, Ossining, New York
The Fourth of July is an thought and a really perfect that arose within the face of oppression. A gaggle of males who’ve been labeled each patriots and traitors, relying on who you ask, made a option to push again in opposition to that oppression. They gave rise to a brand new nation, one which promised a change from what they knew.
For me, the Fourth of July continues to be a alternative. I select to proceed studying about individuals, issues and myself, and I refuse to give up the a part of myself that I can management. This isn’t all the time simple in an atmosphere that embraces the darkish and the unfavorable. However all of us have the chance to decide on our personal future, like they did 249 years in the past, even in a spot like this.
11. Maurice Miller, 37
Woodbourne Correctional Facility, Woodburne, New York
In mild of the brazen, unlucky assaults on affirmative motion, DEI insurance policies and Black American historical past, I’m changing into extra afraid by the day that our house is reverting to the best way it was when Frederick Douglass delivered his Fourth of July speech. Affirmative motion, together with DEI insurance policies, had been put in place as a result of this nation has a protracted and troublesome historical past of treating girls, individuals of coloration and LGBTQ individuals radically completely different from [straight] White males.
So how can I be a proud American father to my lovely little lady when there nonetheless exists an enormous gender pay hole, regardless of the so-called Equal Pay Act? How can I be proud whereas the present American authorities demolishes the rights of trans individuals?
How can all of us sing about our pleasure when it’s much less and fewer doubtless that we’re all free?
12. Demetrius Buckley, 40
Cooper Avenue Correctional Facility, Jackson, Michigan
To reply, “What, to the American incarcerated particular person, is your Fourth of July?” I’ve to talk about the historical past of the American Revolution. The reality is, colonies on this new land wished to guard their hustle in slavery, a enterprise outlawed in Britain in 1772. Fearing that they must observe go well with, Southern slaveholders joined the rebelling Northerners — who additionally profited from this “peculiar establishment” — to battle for independence. The American rebels took up conflict in 1775 and declared independence in 1776, successful the precise to maintain the “negro” in bondage. That’s why there’ll all the time be unrest right here, due to the unsanctified blood within the soil.
13. Ayana Satyagrahi, 51
FCI Seagoville, Seagoville, Texas
I’m a federal transgender inmate, and I’ve been incarcerated since 2010. Being a double minority — a transgender and a Black particular person — the Fourth of July is nothing however meal within the chow corridor.
Rising up, I didn’t know that I used to be on a pipeline to jail. I bear in mind being harassed by police within the streets of Galveston, Texas, standing on the nook with my pals. Then I’d watch different younger individuals standing on the corners of their White neighborhoods who didn’t get harassed.
There’s this profound music known as “Scholarship 2 the Pen” by a rapper in Houston named ‘Lil Keke. Just like the title suggests, I didn’t develop up listening to about school or how I may get monetary support. As a substitute, I went right into a Scared Straight program, which didn’t do something however present me what jail was like. In the meantime, in additional suburban and White neighborhoods, youngsters heard questions like, “What school are you going to? Who’re you going to intern for?” It was no shock that I ultimately caught a case.
At present, with Donald Trump in workplace, it looks as if they’re rolling again all of our rights. I’m incarcerated right here with plenty of Black males who had been actually sitting in entrance of the tv when Trump was getting elected saying, Oh, he’s gonna allow us to out of jail. I advised them, “No, he’s not. He doesn’t care about you.”
All of because of this the Fourth of July is nothing extra to me than an enormous hamburger with all of the fixings, a ‘brat or two, some watermelon, and a few kind of ice cream dish.
14. Corey Devon Arthur, 47
Otisville Correctional Facility, Otisville, New York
Most prisoners frown at Independence Day as a result of we’re not included on this model of America. From our first footsteps, freedom hasn’t been part of our view, solely an ongoing failure.
15. Joseph Wilson, 46
Inexperienced Haven Correctional Facility, Stormville, New York
On the afternoon of July 4th, I’ll stroll into a large number corridor and wait in line, shifting from foot to foot, dialog to dialog.
On the entrance of the road, a gaggle of incarcerated servers will slap two sizzling canine, two hamburgers, a scoop of baked beans, an infant-sized bag of potato chips, and an apple onto every tray. The new canine, discolored by overstuffed boiling vats, shall be made from turkey. The hamburgers shall be made from beef, rooster and soy. They may bear grill marks, though they’re steamed in perforated plastic luggage.
It’s all faux, but we’ll stand in a protracted line, stashing tiny plastic baggies of mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup for this meal. We do that to masks the fraudulent flavors, the tastes that betray our goals of the previous and fantasies of future independence.
On the whole, the appreciation of such flotsam meals shall be linked to reminiscences of barbecues with family and friends members. However this meals may also be a stark reminder that slaves ate slop, hoping to outlive till their Independence Day got here for them. That, as canine, a few of us have returned to meals deferred by committing crimes.
16. James Mancuso, 41
Idaho State Correctional Middle, Boise, Idaho
Fireworks, hamburgers, watermelon and sack lunches — oh, and no mail, work or college. It doesn’t matter what jail I’ve been to, these appear to be the widespread themes for the Fourth of July.
You get up and get breakfast, possibly a little bit later or sooner than common. Nothing is open besides recreation, when you’ve got it scheduled. There could even be a particular occasion, like garden video games or a live performance.
For those who don’t have recreation that day, you twiddle your thumbs till your lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs. You additionally get a sack lunch to eat for dinner so the kitchen workers can depart early.
After that, you discover one thing to do in your cell or housing pod till that night time, when the fireworks begin on tv.
However extra essential than meals and actions, I believe the Fourth of July reminds us that the US has a historical past that’s each a narrative of horror and a narrative of redemption with regards to its prisons. Regardless of all the issues with the U.S. justice system, I’m nonetheless included in celebrating the day we declared our freedom from England and its taxation with out illustration.
17. Jonathan Vargas, 37
Ohio State Penitentiary, Youngstown, Ohio
My first response: My Independence Day will come once I’m launched from jail. However once I look deeper into myself, I can say that it got here the day I finished beating myself up, forgave myself, and have become the person I all the time wished to be. No matter whether or not I’m in jail, I can nonetheless be free in my thoughts, in my coronary heart and in my soul.
18. Imhotep H’Shaka, 53
Wende Correctional Facility, Alden, New York
As a Black prisoner, I as soon as thought my Independence Day can be the day my enchantment was heard. My mistake! I by no means knew that the federal funding the state acquired to deal with me can be extra essential than my freedom.
Then, after 24 and a half years straight in solitary confinement, I assumed my Independence Day can be once I was launched to the overall inhabitants. However nah, as a result of the staffing shortages attributable to this yr’s unsanctioned and unlawful corrections officer strike meant dropping entry to therapeutic applications that I’ll want once I’m up for parole in 2028. And even if I get parole, I’ll nonetheless be enslaved by charges, check-ins, journey restrictions and background checks for housing and jobs.
So, as a Black prisoner, my Independence Day will doubtless be the date on my demise certificates! Nonetheless, with all this recognized, I’ll say, “Stand up,” and my brethren will reply, “Freedom is a should.”
19. Jason West, 52
Lorain Correctional Facility, Grafton, Ohio
I believe it’s truthful to say most individuals on this nation, each native and naturalized residents, are proud to be Individuals. We’re introduced as much as consider that the US is the land of the free and residential of the courageous.
However in actuality, freedom is an phantasm that America broadcasts all around the world. How can we be the best nation on earth once we preserve tens of millions of individuals locked in cages?
After I see little Johnny on TV waving his American flag on the Fourth of July parade, I do know the indoctrination course of has begun. However we’re solely as free because the powers that be allow us to be. Cross that line, break that rule, converse reality to energy, and watch your so-called freedom vanish.
20. LeShunta Sanders, 50
Harlem, New York
As a previously incarcerated girl of coloration, the Fourth of July feels hole, like a celebration that overlooks the tens of millions of individuals locked away and the various extra of us nonetheless carrying the load of that have lengthy after launch.
After I was incarcerated, July 4th got here and went like some other day. The fireworks we couldn’t see, the music we couldn’t dance to, the household barbecues we couldn’t be part of, all of them served as reminders of how far we had been from the freedoms being celebrated. The nation’s declaration of liberty rang loud, however it by no means included us.
Even now, so-called “freedom” is sophisticated. The system didn’t simply punish me; it tried to model me. I’ve needed to battle to be seen as greater than my previous — to be handled with dignity, to be given alternative, to be heard. Independence appears like a proper for some, however a privilege others should earn over and over.
Nonetheless, I reclaim this present day in my very own approach. I consider the ladies nonetheless confined, those who taught me resilience and sisterhood within the darkest locations. I consider all of us constructing new lives regardless of the obstacles. July 4th isn’t my Independence Day — however it’s a reminder that the battle for actual freedom continues to be alive. That we nonetheless have tales to inform. That we’re nonetheless right here.
And we is not going to be silent.
Kiki Dunston is a strategic visionary and a devoted advocate for justice-impacted people, dedicated to reworking techniques and creating alternatives for these affected by the prison authorized system. She has spearheaded quite a few initiatives that present help, sources and pathways to reintegration for previously incarcerated people. Kiki stays impressed by the nameless quote: “A profitable girl is one who can construct a agency basis with the bricks others have thrown at her.”
