Can We Believe that #BlackLivesMatter and Celebrate the 4th?

Published: Fri, 07/03/20

Author Mary Cronk Farrell

Stories to Inform & Inspire

July 3, 2020

Hello ,

"This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn."

~ Abolitionist Frederick Douglass, 1852.

Over the last six weeks, the scab of America's self-image has been ripped away, revealing the bloody pain of black lives and the oozing pus of white privilege.

Let's not slap the gauze back on and wait for life to return to normal. Normal never lived up to our American ideas of freedom and justice for all. Let's all keep building momentum for change.

Wanting change doesn't mean we don't love our country. Patriotism includes holding opposites: our weaknesses and our strengths.

I ran short of time this week, so I'm resending an article from two years ago that invites us to reconsider the legacy of George Washington. Looking honestly at our past helps pave the way to a better future.

Meet the Slave Who Defied the President

In his 1852 speech, Frederick Douglas reminded America that it's forefathers built this country on human blood. They were "traders in the bodies and souls of men [and women]."

Below is an accounting of the slaves belonging to George Washington.

Ona Judge was ten years old when she was chosen to become the personal slave of Martha Washington. Some called her lucky that she worked in the big house and not the fields.

But Ona wanted freedom, and at age 22, she ran away. I was shocked to learn how underhanded George Washington became trying to recapture Ona.

You can read all about her escape and life on the run here: Meet the Slave Who Defied George Washington. Feel free to forward this email to friends and family who may not know about Ona Judge.

Have a healthy Fourth of July!

Until next week...

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