What Does Independence Day Mean To YOU?

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Today is July 4, 2023. In 1776 exactly 247 years ago, the United States of America declared independence from England. USA wasn't actually "free", yet, but the soon be new country made a statement by creating a formal certification called "The Declaration of Independence" to officially separate from Britain. Would you believe that I was born in 1976, approximately 200 years after this historical event? Independence day to me has nothing to do with USA, though. As a black person in America, we didn't have "liberty" at that time. We still don't have many liberties now. The Supreme Court just took away "Affirmative Action" that was created to protect minorities from oppression by organizations that do not allow them to participate in their facilities among other things. So I do not officially celebrate this Federal "holiday". Now black Americans have "Juneteenth" which President Joe Biden declared a Federal holiday in 2021. The history on that can be individually researched. But I digress... Independence day to me means being grateful for my own independence. Free to be me. No longer allowing others to insert their own ideas on who I am to be. I'm an adult, but it took me 47 years to finally decide to stand on my own. There are many things that I'm grateful for, but that's a discussion for another time. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!