What does independence mean

What does Independence mean to you?

We recently experienced the United States Independence Day—July 4th, 2024. Last month was Juneteenth June 19, 2024. 

My wife and I talked about whether we were celebrating the right thing. 

Now with the passing of Independence Day. I started thinking about independence. 

First some background.

Before I dig into this.  Just an FYI…  This article will reference concepts of slavery, freedom and independence but is by no means a discussion on justice, inequality, or racism.

This article is about the concept of Independence.  A subject I think everyone can relate to. 

On July 8th, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was read in Philadelphia’s Independence Square. I would imagine that is not what it was called before this day.  The document was signed on July 4th, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress. 

It was the day the representatives of the United States of America declared independence from the control of Great Britain and made it known publicly.  Those who signed did so at the risk of their lives.

A year later Congress decided to make July 4th a holiday to celebrate the great moment.

Now here is what I would consider the most famous phrase of the declaration.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

We know at this moment.  They did not mean all men or all people for that matter.

Slaves and women were not considered equal.  It wasn’t until the 13, 14, and 19th Amendments were voted into law did that happen.  With the 19th Amendment being passed in 1920. That is 144 years after this country declared its freedom. (2,3,4).

Relating to the Juneteenth celebrations, the most recent federal holiday. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1st, 1863.  This declared all slaves held in the Confederate States free.  It did not apply to the Union States.

It also had very little power. It could not be enforced where Confederate leaders still had control.

It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, in Galveston Bay Texas that 250,000 slaves in Texas were notified that they were free.

This is the origin of Juneteenth.

Now the 13th Amendment which freed all slaves was ratified on December 6, 1865.

Ratified for the younger people means.  It is Facebook official or whatever you call it now.

Now in all of these cases.  The declaration was made first before the actual thing was experienced.

The colonies declared independence in 1776 the war was won in 1783.

Slaves were declared free, to an extent in 1863 freedom was certified for all slaves in 1865.

Here is the lesson:

To be truly independent.  You must first declare your independence.

Many people go to work everyday, hating their job. They feel trapped and desire independence.

Many people are under a mountain of debt and work just to hand it over to the debt owner.  Whether it be a credit card company or the bank that holds your mortgage.

Many people have good lives and can take a trip here and there but don’t have the independence to take the trip when they want.

To obtain this independence.  You must first declare it.

My Independence Day, I do not remember the exact date.  But it happened. In May 2021.  It was then I decided… I would no longer allow anyone or anything to dictate how I live my life. 

I wanted to have freedoms:

• Financial

• Time

• Location

• Purpose

• Relationship

It was then, I decided. I was going to do what it took to start living and experiencing my independence.

Just like the examples above.  It did not come just as a result of my declaration.  And neither will yours.

But the first thing you have to do is declare it.

Declare that you will find a way to your Freedom.

Find a way to live an independent life

Live a life on your own terms

Live your Dream Life.

I don’t know what day you are reading this article but you can make today the day you make your declaration.

To become Independent.

If you were like me.  You did not know where to start.

I created a program to help you get started.

You can take a look at it here.

To Freedom

Until Next Time…

References:

1 The History of America’s Independence  Website PBS.org. 

2. The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth National Museum of African American History and Culture.

3. 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Women's Right to Vote (1920) National Archives

4. Landmark Legislation: The Fourteenth Amendment United States Senate

5. 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is Passed National Museum of African American History and Culture.