This year’s Fourth of July falls during two pivotal events in recent American history – a pandemic and a social justice movement – setting up a holiday unlike no other in decades.
The growing coronavirus outbreak has caused most places to cancel fireworks shows, Gov. Kate Brown has instituted a mask requirement in indoor spaces and the state’s public health officials have urged Oregonians to forego travel and barbecues.
At the same time, the 244th Independence Day comes as hundreds of people continue to gather in Portland and elsewhere to decry the death of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer.
The Oregonian/OregonLive headed out to ask people — at a proper physical distance — about their plans for the Fourth and what words like freedom and patriotism mean to them today.
Here are their words:
Jordan Rock, 27, sits in Mt. Tabor Park on July 2. Rock said he doesn't celebrate the Fourth of July because he sees Juneteenth as his Independence Day.
JORDAN ROCK, 27, MONTAVILLA, PORTLAND
“I don’t really celebrate Fourth of July. I don’t see it as my Independence Day. I see Juneteenth as my Independence Day. So, on the Fourth of July I sit inside, I hang out with friends on Discord, maybe I’ll drink for the fun of it. But I don’t have many big patriotic thoughts about America.”
What do freedom and patriotism mean to you right now: “You grow up in America and you get patriotism implanted in you. You’re made to salute the flag and stand and sing the anthem and all that. The older you get the more educated you get, the more you learn about the history of this country, the less patriotic you tend to feel, at least from my perspective.
“I guess the main takeaway is that America is not so great. And for me, specifically, was built on the backs of my people, our blood, sweat our tears. When I feel a national sort of loyalty, it’s not to the country, not to the soil, it’s to the people. And my people. I’m an American, and I’m proud to say that. But when I say I’m proud to be an American, I’m proud to be an American person. I don’t feel any sort of connection or semblance of patriotic flame in my heart when I think about our administration, about our government, because it’s built upon a system that oppresses people.
“This protest is not just for the lives of me and people with my level of melanin and above, it’s for everybody. I live in constant fear that when I’m walking through, take for instance the walk over here (to Mt. Tabor), it’s about a 30-minute walk through a very nice neighborhood. I’ve got my hands in my pockets, got my shoulders squared, got my head up trying as hard as possible to not look suspicious with a mask on. If I make somebody uncomfortable in that neighborhood, that could be the end of my life. The police get called, then I’m two steps away from being beaten, arrested or dead. That’s the end of my story. It’s a constant, niggling anxiety.
“You want to feel safe and secure in your country, but you can’t.”
Chelsea Bean, 23, lives in South Waterfront, Portland. She said it's hard to be patriotic right now for the Fourth of July weekend when there's a social justice movement going on, as well as a pandemic.
CHELSEA BEAN, 23, SOUTH WATERFRONT, PORTLAND
“I’d usually be doing the average barbecue thing, watching fireworks. I’ve never been too keen on doing the major celebrations. Probably doing nothing this year, especially with the climate. It’s hard to be patriotic right now. How do you be patriotic right now?”
Freedom and patriotism: “When it comes to equal rights, everyone is treated the same regardless. It’s hard because our history just kind of screws up with that. There are so many systems screwed up. There’s just too much wealth inequality. There are certain environments where people don’t agree. People are looking at people in power. Things like freedom and justice should be clear cut. I don’t know how people can celebrate. It’s hard to be like, oh we have people in charge here. Everyone knows our history has been devastating and not fair. When you celebrate it, you’re like, ‘Oh, look at how far we’ve come, things are great,’ but recently, and I think it’s so important things are being brought to light, because it’s not like this has just started. I think it’s difficult to celebrate right now because it’s so obvious now. I don’t think people really have read into it before now. "
Jamie Fletcher, 31, said she usually goes out of state on trips for the Fourth of July. She said she doesn't have much patriotism this year and isn't sure what freedom means right now in the wake of a social justice movement and a pandemic.
JAMIE FLETCHER, 31, KILLINGSWORTH, PORTLAND
“Most every Fourth of July I get out of town anyway and backpack with friends. This year it’s going to be my partner and I in his backyard with a barbecue with our dogs.”
Freedom and patriotism: “Not a lot. Not a lot. I don’t have much patriotism and I’m not certain what the meaning of the first one is. In light of everything that’s going on, I think the best way that I can spend the time that I have off from work for the holiday is self-educating about Black Lives Matter, this movement and about how to be a better anti-racist and a better ally. I don’t have a whole lot of allegiance to the flag. I think that now is a really amazing time for us to be questioning the foundation that this country was built upon, and I think reflection more than celebration is probably called for.”
Blair Hennessy, 35, sits with her 2-year-old son Miles at Peninsula Park on July 2. Hennessy said she's a social studies teacher and insists on the right to criticize the United States.
BLAIR HENNESSY, 35, KENTON, PORTLAND
“It’s (my) fifth wedding anniversary on the Fourth, we decided to go camping just to get out and get some fresh air.”
Freedom and patriotism: “I’m a social studies teacher. I always love James Baldwin’s words: Just because I love America, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.
“Just really thinking about what it means to love our country and hope for the best for our country. For me, I’ve been thinking a lot about freedom, particularly when I think it’s very hard for Americans in an individualized society, one of the most individualistic societies, to be like, ‘I’m going to wear a mask for the collective good’ or ‘I’m going to give up some of my freedoms for this collective.’ But I also think we’re just in this moment of reckoning where those who have privilege and have freedom and have had it their whole lives and never even known that they’ve had it, it’s time to really step up and center that question in our lives, in our conversations. What does it mean for us to all be free? I’m focusing a lot on the racial piece of it, for white America to question the cost of our freedom if we’re not fighting for that for everyone.”
Jason Williams, executive director of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon, organized a flash-rally in front of the former location of the statue of George Washington on Friday in Rose City Park. Williams said this year's Fourth of July matters more than ever because symbols of freedom are being attacked.
JASON WILLIAMS, 50, BEAVERTON
“I usually have quiet Fourth of Julys. This time, the Fourth of July matters more, because we feel like our symbols of our freedom are being attacked. We stand against the destruction of private property and public art, like what happened to George Washington behind us. We just want to have a chance to celebrate the best of America.”
Freedom and patriotism: “It’s more important than ever. We get reminded that we have rights that other people don’t have around the world. In fact, most of the world probably doesn’t have most of the bill of rights that they live under, and that’s troubling. Our job of taking the message of oppression and justice is not just for America, it’s for the whole world.”
Dona Russie, 67 and of Beaverton, attends the Taxpayers Association of Oregon's flash-rally on Friday to celebrate George Washington, whose statue was toppled in the Rose City Park neighborhood on June 18. Russie said she's happy people still have the freedom to worship during the pandemic and social justice movement.
DONA RUSSIE, 67, BEAVERTON
“I have a friend that has an annual Fourth of July picnic in their backyard, that’s what I’d be doing. I chose not to participate this year because we’re usually in and out of the house. Her roommate has MS and I don’t think that’d be good for her. My family is getting together.”
Freedom and patriotism: “I think freedom, there’s a couple different levels you can look at. We still have the freedoms to worship. I realize we’re not able to gather in churches and stuff, but we still have that opportunity. The freedom to express our opinions. we don’t have to all agree. I think it’s important to listen to everybody, not just the popular side that’s being pushed. The independence and the freedom to have a gathering like this where we can celebrate people who helped us get our freedom.”
Kelly Park, 17, attends the PDX Black Futures Protest at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland on Friday. Park said now is a good time to reexamine how the past is affecting the present.
KELLY PARK, 17, NORTHWEST PORTLAND
“I think Fourth of July weekend, it’s kind of a time where we are really collectively reexamining what all these figures and events and holidays really mean. I think that’s a really positive change that people are looking closer into the past and seeing how the past is impacting the present. And so, this Fourth of July weekend I think it’s important to participate in that collective reexamination and then also focus on staying safe and healthy.”
Freedom and patriotism: “Freedom is one of those things that is constantly having to be fought for. There’s never been a time where every single person has been free. I think that’s a really important thing to remember.”
-- Ty Vinson
503-221-4315; @ty_vinson_
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