State Rep. Brion Curran, DFL-Vadnais Heights, encouraged Minnesotans to use the Independence Day holiday to “remember the freedom and independence stolen from others.”
“While many today celebrate freedom and independence, we must remember the freedom and independence stolen from others,” Curran wrote on Twitter, sharing a tweet that said “there isn’t much to celebrate” for Native Americans.
While many today celebrate freedom and independence, we must remember the freedom and independence stolen from others. We do this not to be sad, but to honor ancestors and ensure we don’t repeat history. Celebrate resilience and persistence, the work’s not done! #Solidarity https://t.co/Y94uZsQIO3
— Brion Curran 🏳️🌈 (@brioncurran) July 4, 2023
“We do this not to be sad, but to honor ancestors and ensure we don’t repeat history. Celebrate resilience and persistence, the work’s not done!” Curran said.
Curran shared a tweet from an organization called “Red,” which stands for “revolutionary educational documentaries,” with an image depicting land “stolen” from Native Americans.
“Millions of Indigenous and Black individuals have endured enslavement, torture, forced displacement, and brutal killings. Today, racism towards Indigenous and Black people still persists,” the post Curran shared reads.
Many responses to the tweet disagreed with her position, asking about additional factors like violence between Native American tribes.
Other posts by Red include one that attributes America’s independence to white supremacy.
As the US commemorates Independence Day, the words of renowned singer and civil activist, Paul Robeson, remind us that for many, the glow of independence was dimmed by the enduring darkness of colonialism and white supremacy.#July4th #LandBack #IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/ZNANd6nFnT
— red. (@redstreamnet) July 4, 2023
A Gallup poll released ahead of Independence Day found that only 39% of Americans are “extremely proud” to be American, nearly identical to the 38% result in 2022. A combined 67% said they are extremely or very proud to be American.
“Party identification remains the greatest demographic differentiator in expressions of national pride, and Republicans have been consistently more likely than Democrats and independents to express pride in being American throughout the trend,” Gallup said of the results. “That gap has been particularly pronounced since 2018, with more than twice as many Republicans as Democrats saying they are extremely proud. Republicans are also nearly twice as likely as independents to express the highest degree of pride.”
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
