Black Americans: 400 Years and Counting Still Striving for True Freedom in a Country That We Built – Rebellious Magazine for Women

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Black people frequently experience reminders that this country was built by us, but not for us. But we have always fought to secure our seat at the table to enjoy equal opportunity and fair treatment — from slave insurrections to civil rights protests, sit-ins and boycotts to present-day marches, rallies and economic withdrawal. When we were excluded from the “mainstream,” we built our own — schools, churches, cemeteries, hospitals, social clubs, banks, media outlets, businesses and more — only to have them frequently disrespected or destroyed with no restitution and no one held accountable. Yet, we continue to strive for independence, prosperity and true freedom from domestic terrorism, economic violence and emotional assault.
In this “land of the free and home of the brave” how much freedom do Black people have if the books we write and want to read about our experiences and truths are banned? How much freedom do we enjoy when programs that were designed to level the playing field from decades of exclusion and marginalization are defunded, dismantled and demonized? Are we really free to live up to our full potential when the state, which has rarely had our best interests at heart, controls and limits access to health care? How free are those who are criminalized, surveilled and economically trapped in circumstances that are difficult to overcome — all while having their creations and genius pilfered and exploited for others to enrich themselves?
This past July 4 holiday, a bill that some deemed “big” and “beautiful” was narrowly passed with only GOP support. The self-proclaimed “patriots” have shown they are fine with “freeing” the government from providing food assistance to families, lunches to schoolchildren, health care to seniors and other vulnerable groups, funding to public schools and more. Meanwhile, the budget for defense and detainment was increased and more “freedom” was given to the already wealthy in the form of permanent tax cuts.
The person who 77 million people voted for to be the 47th president said out loud that he “hates” Democrats. So people who have different ways of thinking, living or worshipping than those who are aggressively reshaping the country must navigate an administration that expresses outward disdain for them. Through his actions and words, the 47th president has told Black people, who have historically voted for Democrats, that he does not represent or uphold our interests. The profound and targeted levels of rollback from this current administration exudes nothing but raw hatred.
Too many who voted for the current administration seem to seek the “freedom” to oppress and insult others with impunity — to impose their religion, values and worldview onto others and silence anyone who does not agree with them. They want the “freedom” to antagonize others by waving flags that represent racial violence and terrorism. They want to be able to openly and “freely” honor and uplift people who committed mass genocide and enriched themselves by exploiting other human beings and committing unimagineable horrors against them. They want the “freedom” from any regulation that limits their ability to exploit natural resources, pollute and poison at will, with no regard to how it will harm others — because nothing and no one else seems to matter except unbridled profit. They view themselves as “oppressed” if there is any expectation put on them to recognize the rights and concerns of anyone but them.
Those who want the freedom to practice whatever religion they worship without harassment are mocked. Many of those in power call themselves “Christian” and want to throw the Ten Commandments and Bibles in every classroom. They show little tolerance for those who seek the freedom to love and marry whomever makes them fulfilled. Those who don’t meet their narrow idea of true Americans, and want independence to be seen, heard and appreciated as full citizens and contributors to the country are met with insults. Those who want the freedom to navigate the world without worries about gun violence, police violence, environmental violence, economic violence are called socialists (as an insult), libtards, snowflakes and other pejorative terms.
The idea and reality of freedom in the Disunited States of America has always been different for people of European descent versus those of African descent. While people of European descent celebrated their freedom from Britain in 1776, most enslaved African Americans did not experience freedom from bondage until 1863, almost 90 years later. On the Fourth of July, all Americans are expected to express gratitude to live in “the greatest country in the world,” even if freedom is elusive and any semblance of bravery on their part to fight for equality has historically been met with violence, laws to enforce segregation, oppression and chronic race-based inequality. The Fourth of July has been celebrated for almost 250 years, while Juneteenth (which celebrates the enslaved in Galveston, Texas, being freed from bondage on June 19, 1865) has been part of African-American culture for 160 years. And the fight for equal freedom and opportunity continues to this day.
Black people have no choice but to do for ourselves as we have needed to for over four centuries. When other people’s idea of “freedom” includes oppressing, exploiting and excluding us, we create our own symbols, rituals, organizations and institutions. This country became wealthy on the backs of our nearly 250 years of unpaid labor and 160 years of underpaid labor while we have collectively struggled to fully benefit from the prosperity generated. The one-offs of extremely exceptional individual people ascending and succeeding in spaces that were created without us in mind do not supersede the reality of the majority. Right now our country is fractured with too many varied and conflicting realities of the American experience. One day this country will truly be “United,” when all are treated with the same level of respect and enjoy the same unencumbered opportunities. We still strive and fight for that day. But for now, Black people will do us and not let anyone dim our brilliance or steal our joy. As the powers that be try to demonize everything they don’t understand and exploit and monetize whatever they can, we stand firm that our souls are not for sale.
Copyright 2025 Rebellious Magazine. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without written permission.
Michelle Duster is an educator, public historian, and activist whose advocacy has led to street names, monuments, historical markers, and other public history projects that add to the representation of… More by Michelle Duster

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