It’s been 174 years since the famous abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, issued his scathing address on July 4 celebrations. The nation couldn’t handle the truth then, and it cannot handle it now. The Trump regime is giving us a harsh reality check as the country prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday.
Coming out of jubilant Juneteenth celebrations, most Black people in the U.S. are feeling far less celebratory about the 4th of July in 2026. We have been challenged by the racist whitelash from the post-Obama administration and a brutal wave of repression by the MAGA enforcers. Trump’s anti-Black policies are attempting to erase our history, culture, and our very existence.
In his address to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society, Douglass promised to use the severest language he could command. He would not sugarcoat the savagery of U.S. slavery. Douglass wanted his sharp words to pierce through the white-privileged skin to their hearts and souls, and tap into their humanity. It was clear by the tone of his riveting words in 1852 that Douglass’ patience was wearing thin with white people’s complicity with slavery.
“What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” was clearly meant for white folks. But I believe the descendants of slaves were the secondary audience. Douglass skillfully paints an ugly picture of slavery to move fair-minded white people into action. The address also serves as a reminder to Black people of the impact of chattel slavery on us and why we must rise in defense of our own humanity.
Black people must constantly evaluate our relationship with those who have oppressed us, regardless of how normalized it has become. If we are to have a sobering forecast of the future, it must always start with our past. Our ancestors gifted us with the concept of Sankofa, which translates to “go back and get it.” This means that we must examine the past to inform, build, and guide our future.
Too often, Black folks have taken the U.S. government at its word. We have ignored the broken promises to native peoples, and even those made to our own people. Despite laws on the books, Black people have lost land, sacred institutions, intellectual property, and our lives. We’ve seen the erosion of civil rights, including the coveted right to vote, pushing us to the bottom of the economic ladder, and in general, making our lives unbearable.
Through it all, we have shown remarkable resilience and strength in the face of persistent adversity. People of African descent have contributed significantly to this nation, making undeniable sacrifices that have strengthened its moral, political, cultural, and economic fabric.
Douglass gave white folks the assignment to work harder to make the foundational documents real for all those who reside in this land. He urged them to fight for the freedoms of all people, regardless of their color or gender.
To preserve this struggling democracy, our paths forward must be fundamentally different. We must be clear-eyed about the past and look to the future with unfettered determination. The struggle for freedom and equality will continue. Differently.
Jamala Rogers is an opinion writer and one of the founding members of the Organization for Black Struggle, based in St. Louis.