July 4th: A Celebration… But Not for All

Phillip W Dunn
Jul 4
3 min read

Why Many Black Americans Hold Juneteenth in Higher Regard

As fireworks light up the sky this July 4th and flags wave proudly across the country, many Black Americans find themselves in a complicated place — a space somewhere between participation and reflection, celebration and resistance.

Because while July 4, 1776, marks the United States’ independence from British rule, it aboslutely did not mark freedom for all. In fact, for our ancestors — Black men, women, and children enslaved on plantations across the colonies — that declaration of independence rang hollow.

“Independence for Some — 1776. Independence for All — 1865."

That’s why for many of us, Juneteenth holds deeper meaning.

June 19, 1865 was the day the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received word that they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. But that freedom didn’t arrive by chance.

It was secured by the courage and sacrifice of over 180,000 Black Union soldiers who took up arms during the Civil War, fighting not only to preserve the Union but to end slavery once and for all. Many of these men were formerly enslaved themselves — and yet, they risked everything to ensure that future generations could live free.

Their bravery helped turn the tide of the war and bring about the collapse of the Confederacy. Their blood helped purchase the freedom that finally arrived in Texas on Juneteenth.

So while July 4th marks America’s birth as a nation, Juneteenth marks the beginning of freedom that includes us. It is not just a commemoration — it is a day of reflection, remembrance, and renewed commitment to liberation in all its forms: economic, social, political, and spiritual.

So What Does July 4th Mean to Us Today?

The answer is layered.

Yes, we live here.Yes, we’ve served and sacrificed for this country.Yes, we deserve joy and family and cookouts and fireworks like everyone else.

But we also carry generations of truth.

We remember the Black soldiers who fought in every war, yet returned to segregation and second-class citizenship.
We remember how systemic racism, redlining, and voter suppression undercut the very freedoms we’re told to celebrate.
We remember that even now, in 2025, our communities are still battling for equity in healthcare, education, housing, and justice.

So it’s not that we’re unpatriotic — we’re just unwilling to pretend that freedom was ever free for us.

Juneteenth: More Than a Day, It’s a Declaration

At The Black Business Focus Group, we elevate Juneteenth because it centers our story.

It honors our resilience. It recognizes our fight. And it reminds us that freedom has always been delayed, not denied — and often, self-funded through our own collective work.

That’s why we push for economic empowerment, circulating the Black dollar, and group economics every single day — because financial freedom is a key part of the liberation our ancestors dreamed of.

This July 4th, We Invite You To:

Reflect on the full history of America’s independence
Honor our ancestors who fought for freedom they were denied
Celebrate your Blackness and your brilliance without apology
Support Black-owned businesses and track those transactions on The BBFG
Teach the next generation the whole story, not just the one in textbooks

Because freedom isn’t just a holiday. It’s a responsibility.

What Does Independence Mean to You?

We want to hear from you.

Drop a comment below or share your story using #StillBecomingFree and #BBFG.🖤 Let’s keep building a future where freedom, justice, and prosperity are not just promised — but practiced.

The Black Business Focus Group

Empowering Our People. Elevating Our Businesses. Circulating Our Dollars.

It's our time!

-Phil-