My favorite scene from HBO’s 2008 mini-series “John Adams” – the drafting of the Declaration of Independence:
The fragile alliance between the colonies would have disintegrated if the issue of slavery was brought into the decision to separate from Britain. To make the choice to focus on independence, while leaving the slave trade and ownership of slaves legal is not a decision I could have made. As a black woman I do not agree with this decision, but as a leader I understand it. This resolution was the beginning of many that forged our great nation. I am glad our founding fathers had the audacity to become independent and allowing the birth the United States of America.
We are a young nation, but a great nation. I will take the mistakes and ills of our history along with it’s celebrations. I will forever be proud to be an American. Happy Independence day!