The Fourth of July is a mixed bag for immigrants living in the United States. The holiday is often marked by fireworks and barbecues, and it’s a celebration of America’s independence in 1776.
Six immigrants reflect on the meaning of the day and how it has changed over time.
Alresch Jayawardena immigrated from Sri Lanka and arrived in the U.S. July 4, 1991
We did the pageantry, the hotdogs, and hamburgers to celebrate our arrival. Even after 9/11, I found it so much more. As the years passed and I spent more time in the Middle East, my perspective changed. It’s now more difficult to recall how I got there.
I don’t know whether I can celebrate right now. The flag has not been flown in a friendly manner for the past couple of years. It almost seemed like a threat. To be American, you must be a patriot who waves the flag. Fourth, I believe it’s a day for reckoning for many people right now.
Kristel AcevedoImmigrated From Nicaragua to the U.S.A in 1985
One 4th of July, I clearly remember asking everyone: “Oh, what makes America great?” It was during a time when there was a lot more turmoil in our country and unfortunately, a lot less positive rhetoric about immigrants. And honestly, I was not proud to be an American at the time.
Then I asked my mother-in-law, who immigrated from Colombia herself. I asked her: “Well, what do you think makes America great?” I asked her, “Well what do you think makes America great?” She replied, “I believe it’s the immigrants.”
That response really touched me. Because I began to realize the many contributions immigrants make to this nation and how we bring so much flavor, uniqueness, and diversity to it. It made me proud to be an American and an immigrant again.
Sometimes I just want to relax on the Fourth of July. I want to have the barbecue, go to the beach, and spend time with my friends. However, there is always something that reminds me that not everyone feels this way. So I must give myself grace to celebrate, and to let go of advocacy and all that. It is important to remember it. It is a delicate balance.
Becky DiazImmigrated From Honduras to the U.S.A in 1989
It was passive in the past. It was fun, but not too important. It’s a great excuse to have a barbecue or cookout.
It’s almost felt dangerous in recent years. It’s almost as if things that shouldn’t have negative meanings now have negative meanings. It’s like nationalism, patriotism and the flag. They have a new meaning. It was a similar shift in the meaning of love for America. The demand to love America was also different.
As we move into a democracy, we are celebrating freedom from some kind of tyrannical state. What can I do to celebrate freedom when I’m not free?
That’s what I believe people don’t see. When criticism is expressed, it’s not from a place like, “I hate this nation” or “Screw this country.” It’s not from a place where there is disappointment. This country is family.
Nigel Gombakomba immigrated from Zimbabwe and arrived in the U.S.A in 2002
Over the years, I have found that the 4th July holiday has brought me to space, where I consider, where are you going as far as liberty, freedom, and independence, which was the original goal of the founding fathers of this nation. Are we living up? Are we truly free?
It’s a comforting fact that the United States has always struggled to achieve equality and rights throughout its history. When you look at how people practice democracy and fight to get their rights, there is light at the end. That’s why I believe the nation is one of the most powerful nations in the world.
My hope is for reconciliation in society, to be able to accept the past. Understanding and accepting history is part of the challenge, so people can have fun celebrating it.
Salonie RegoImmigrated to Bangalore, IndiaArrived at the U.S.A. in 2014.
To me, the 4th of July has no personal significance. It’s just like any other day. The Declaration of Independence was a declaration that, according to my understanding, we were emancipating from an old way of living where we didn’t have any self-determination. Now, after all these decades, it seems we have moved further away from the ability to self-determine, where our lives are limited… in terms reproductive rights, and in terms who can vote. Given all this, I don’t think the 4th July is necessarily a positive event. It simply means that we are further back in time.
Amir SharifiImmigrated to IranArrived in America in 2009
We made our first 4th-of- July trip, and went to Chattanooga to visit friends. There, we watched fireworks from the Tennessee River. It was beautiful and spectacular. My greatest dream at the time was to be an American citizen and share the Fourth of July with fellow Americans. That dream became a reality last year, when my wife and I were naturalized citizens of the United States. My daughter was then born a short time later. This year is her first Fourth of July. This year’s celebration will be different.
I feel terrible for the Uvalde families who have lost their children or loved ones. Most importantly, however, I was disappointed by the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v Wade. This basically stripped half of the population of their most basic rights and freedoms, including my wife, and my daughter. We won’t be lighting fireworks this year. We have decided to go for a long walk and reflect. We will talk about what has been gained, what we have, as well as what we just lost.
