July 4 ^th , Independence Day, like many things when you are a child, is a time you spend with friends and family. The day is filled with food, fireworks, and music. I do not remember talk of war or freedom or slavery. Many years of living have passed, with trips to other countries, friends and family of many colors, and becoming a lawyer. Even still my notions of independence and freedom continue to evolve. How can it be that people here are still fighting for basic human rights, equality, and dignity? Some people yearn for freedom every day, not once a year. What I know is that democracy is not born, it is made. I think of the words of Frederick Douglass. In his famous speech Douglass chided the nation for not living up to the ideals it espoused in the U.S. Constitution, and the gross hypocrisy of deeds which were the very antithesis of the words held up for all the world to see. This is my country,  our  country. This is my duty,  our  duty. This is my legacy,  our  legacy. If you care about the future of our children and this nation, do something. Stand up. Speak out. Be accountable for your words and your actions. Why? Because  democracy matters .

On July 5, 1852, Douglass gave a speech at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, held at Rochester's Corinthian Hall. It was biting oratory, in which the speaker told his audience, "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn." And he asked them, "Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day?" Within the now-famous address is what historian Philip S. Foner has called "probably the most moving passage in all of Douglass' speeches."

 

"The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro,"  1852.  Click here for the text of this historical document.

Poetry Centered is a podcast that features curated selections from voca, the University of Arizona Poetry Center's online audiovisual archive of more than 1,000 recordings of poets reading their work during visits to the Center between 1963 and today. Each episode features a guest poet introducing three poems from voca and sharing their insights about the remarkable performances recorded in the archive. The inaugural season includes episodes hosted by Hanif Abdurraqib, Alison Hawthorne Deming, Maggie Smith, and Ada Limón, among others. Learn how you can tune in  here. 

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