The 250th anniversary of American independence is being met with a complex mix of emotions among Black Americans, with many choosing to observe the milestone with quiet reflection rather than enthusiastic participation in national celebrations. This emerging sentiment, widely discussed across social media platforms like TikTok and Threads, reflects a profound sense of historical exhaustion and a strategic decision to withhold emotional engagement from what many perceive as a celebration of an incomplete freedom.
This collective disengagement is seen by some as a tactical move to deny attention to issues that might otherwise provoke strong reactions, particularly in the current political climate. By conserving energy previously expended in vocal protest or outrage, Black Americans are focusing on community care and self-preservation – a deliberate choice encapsulated in advice circulating online to "not give them a reaction," referring to those who might profit from or sensationalise Black anger.
The historical context underlying this stance is rich and complex. Even before the American Revolution, enslaved Black South Carolinians reportedly shouted "Liberty!" during the Stono Revolt of 1739 – the largest slave rebellion in the British mainland colonies prior to the revolution. This event, which saw rebels communicate through music and dance, predates and parallels the language of freedom later used in the Declaration of Independence. Despite Thomas Jefferson's initial draft condemning slavery, the passage was ultimately removed, highlighting the economic importance of slavery to both northern and southern colonies.
The 1772 Mansfield Judgment in England – which ruled that a master could not forcibly deport an enslaved person from England for sale – is cited by some historians as a catalyst for colonial opposition to the British Crown. Lord Mansfield's call, as Chief Justice of the King's Bench, that slavery was "odious" sparked fears among colonists that the Crown might ultimately abolish slavery in the colonies. This historical thread leads some, like historian Gerald Horne, to argue that the American Revolution itself was partly fought to preserve the institution of slavery.
The stories of events like the Stono Revolt – often excluded from mainstream historical narratives – have been passed down through oral traditions within Black communities, reinforcing a shared understanding of freedom as distinctly different for them. Modern digital communication channels are now serving a similar purpose, enabling Black Americans to connect and reinforce solidarity, echoing historical methods of resistance and communication through music, oratory, and slogans.