“Look for the helpers,” Mr. Rogers’ mother famously told him when he saw something scary on the news. If I may add: look for the helpers and the historians.
There is plenty of scary on the news this year, the year of our nation’s semiquincentennial. Looking for the larger story I’ve been born into brings a grounding and perspective that holds staying power. So a bit of a history lesson here prompted by my favorite modern historian.
Jon Meacham recently guested Russell Moore’s podcast. Two reasonable men discussing the state of affairs? I listened twice. When asked how he holds onto hope for our republic, Meacham referenced Frederick Douglass’s famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Given in 1852 by the self-educated, escaped slave who became the principal voice of the abolitionist movement, it is one of the great speeches in our nation’s history.
Douglass was born into slavery in a place and date unknown and a white father unknown. He was separated from his mother and grandmother, beaten, whipped, hired out, moved around, victim to the gross underbelly of the slave trade and the practices of cruel masters. At age 20 Douglass escaped on a Baltimore train. He spent the rest of his life fighting slavery in the US and UK. The attacks on his character, ideas, and life were constant. He continued to experience the worst of America, but as a free man he could say something about it. He did not mince words in his July 5, 1852 address to a group of New York abolitionists:
What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity…
Fellow-citizens! I will not enlarge further on your national inconsistencies. The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism as a sham, your humanity as a base pretense, and your Christianity as a lie. It destroys your moral power abroad; it corrupts your politicians at home. It saps the foundation of religion; it makes your name a hissing, and a bye-word to a mocking earth.
No words minced, as I said, and this is just a taste. But keep reading what he tells this group of women:
. . Allow me to say, in conclusion, notwithstanding the dark picture I have this day presented of the state of the nation,
I do not despair of this country.
There are forces in operation, which must inevitably work the downfall of slavery. “The arm of the Lord is not shortened,” and the doom of slavery is certain. I, therefore, leave off where I began, with hope.
With hope! Things were changing, he believed, the world was getting smaller and ideas spreading faster. Douglass had faith in America. Faith in the church to bring change. Faith in the Constitution as an anti-slavery document. In his God’s ancient words still going forth:
The fiat of the Almighty, “Let there be Light,” has not yet spent its force.
No abuse, no outrage whether in taste, sport or avarice,
can now hide itself from the all-pervading light.
I don’t know what Frederick Douglass would say to us today, but I can see how his words ring true 174 July 4ths later. Both a frightening and hopeful realization. Many of the injustices he experienced have been remedied and yet so many deep-seeded wrongs remain.
If Douglass can have hope for 1852 America, surely I can say of her in 2026: I do not despair for our country. As a statement of faith; not a naive, sheltered faith, but a realistic and stubborn one. As a calling forth of the Light shining among us – the Texas ranchers taking World Cup visitors on horse rides and the volunteers caring for foster children and the grandmothers quietly tending their gardens. The parents saving up to show their kids our purple-mountain majesties and canyons grand.
As we celebrate this significant anniversary of our freedom, may we honor Frederick Douglass and all those who labored for our freedom by renewing our hope. May we commit to partner with Light’s force to brighten the dark corners; to do justice and love mercy and walk humbly.
So Happy Birthday, America! You imperfect, beautiful nation – I still believe in you!
Rachel Norris 