Washington, DC. 4 July 2025 —
Every year on the 4th of July, Americans gather for fireworks, parades, barbecues, and patriotic songs. It’s a day wrapped in red, white, and blue – a moment to remember the birth of the United States. Beyond the historical moment of 1776, the 4th of July should be a celebration of the ideals that continue to define and reshape the American experiment: freedom, equality, justice, and the promise of a better future for all who call this country home… whether they are documented or not. As we mark this annual celebration of independence, we should take time to reflect on what exactly we are celebrating on July 4th, and perhaps more importantly, who we are becoming.
We Are a Nation of Immigrants
In recent months, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have become a symbol of the United States’ increasingly aggressive stance toward undocumented immigrants. Families are separated without notice. Workers are taken from their jobs and homes without due process. Communities are left in fear. These actions – systematic, sweeping, and often opaque – represent a stark deviation from the ideals upon which the United States was founded. While our country has always wrestled with the contradictions between its principles and its policies, the modern practice of “disappearing” immigrants flies in the face of the vision set forth by the Founding Fathers: a nation built on liberty, the rule of law, and the dignity of the individual.
The founding generation themselves were immigrants or the descendants of immigrants. Many fled religious persecution, economic hardship, or authoritarian rule. The Founders understood the value of offering refuge and opportunity to people seeking a better life. Thomas Paine, one of the most influential voices of the American Revolution, described America as an “asylum of mankind.” The very soul of the American experiment was meant to be a beacon of hope – not a system of fear.
The United States was founded by immigrants, built by immigrants, and continues to thrive because of immigrants. On Independence Day, we should celebrate the vast tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions that have made America more vibrant and resilient. Whether your family came here centuries ago or just arrived last year, the story of immigration is a cornerstone of our national identity. This is a day to honor that legacy – not with fear or suspicion, but with gratitude and pride. Our diversity is not a threat; it is a strength.
A Culture of Cultures
American culture is not monolithic. It is a dynamic blend of Native American heritage, African American resilience, Latin American rhythm, Asian American innovation, European influence, and so much more. From food to music to fashion to ideas, the United States is at its best when we embrace our multicultural roots.
The 4th of July can – and should – be a celebration of cultural expression in all its forms. It is a chance to recognize that patriotism does not look or sound just one way. There are countless ways to love this country, and they should all have a place at the table.
A Stand Against Hate
To honor the values the Founders aspired to, however imperfectly, we must also confront the forces that undermine them. The 4th of July should not be a celebration of blind nationalism, but a rededication to justice. That means rejecting racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, and all forms of hate.
Freedom is not just the absence of oppression; it is the presence of dignity. If we are serious about liberty and justice for all, then we must work to ensure those rights are truly accessible to everyone, not just in words, but in practice.
Celebrating Rights and Freedoms – And the Responsibility They Carry
The fireworks symbolize a revolutionary spirit, a declaration that people have the right to shape their own destiny. But freedom is not static. It requires care, protection, and constant renewal. Voting rights, freedom of speech, bodily autonomy, freedom of religion, the right to love whom we love and live as we are – these are not just privileges. They are pillars of a just society.
On Independence Day, we should not only celebrate our freedoms but also commit ourselves to protecting them. True patriotism is about making the country better – not just for ourselves, but for the generations that follow.
The Ongoing American Experiment
The United States was founded on a radical idea: that all people are created equal. That idea has always been aspirational, but it has not always been honored. However, each generation has pushed the nation closer to it – through struggle, sacrifice, and solidarity. So this July 4th, let us not just wave flags and watch fireworks. Let’s celebrate the best of who we are – and recommit to building the country we want to become. A country where freedom means inclusion. A country where diversity is not tolerated but celebrated. A country where rights and dignity are guaranteed for all.
That is the America worth celebrating. That is the independence worth honoring.
Happy Birthday, America!
Photo Credit: Fireworks over Washington by US Department of State. Licensed under CC BY NC 2.0.
Lara Kajs is the founder and executive director of The Genocide Report, an NGO nonprofit organization in Washington, DC. She is the author of Assad’s Syria, and Stories from Yemen: A Diary from the Field, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, and independent bookstores worldwide. Distributed by Ingram. Ms. Kajs frequently speaks about atrocity crimes, forced displacement, and International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Follow and connect with Lara Kajs on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.