Kevin Patrick
Denver
“It’s supposed to be a celebration for our independence, but I can’t say that I really felt like that. I shoot fireworks, but I think the historical meaning has been lost.”
Asha Patrick
Denver
“Fourth of July for me is a day of fireworks, time off work with family, but historically, it was not a holiday for us. I appreciate the time off from work.”
Gerald Hunter
Atlanta
“The Fourth of July was never Independence Day for African Americans, it was for the colonies. … Now that Juneteenth is a holiday, I celebrate that.”
Cardellia Hunter
Atlanta
“For so long we were forced to celebrate the Fourth of July, when that was really not independence for those of African descent. Now that we have our Juneteenth.”
Compiled by Cynthia Gibson in Atlanta.
