July fourth is supposed to be a day of joyfulness as Americans celebrate the nation’s Independence Day. However, this year many people are choosing to skip the celebrations altogether. Usually, the day is spent with family and loved ones as the smell of barbeque and fireworks fills the air.
Some people are choosing to skip the holiday because America doesn’t seem to be the place it once was. With the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and other momentous factors, they feel like the nation is slipping back in time. Others cite the fact they are no longer children so it just doesn’t seem to be a holiday worth celebrating like they did in their younger days.
Of course, there are plenty of individuals planning to celebrate Independence Day. These people believe it’s about celebrating everybody in the U.S. not just a time to celebrate a specific holiday.
Scary Truth About Today’s America
While some people are looking forward to celebrating Independence Day with fireworks others are petrified by this thought. Some of the fireworks sound like guns shots. This can cause fear in those who live in neighborhoods where gun violence is an everyday thing.
Not to mention here lately, when there are large gatherings, there has been a mass shooting. This alone can deter a person from wanting to join in the festivities. Recently, there was a mass shooting in Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday. Roughly 30 people were shot, including two who lost their lives.
In Chicago, there have been 36 individuals shot. Of those, five people lost their lives including a 15-year-old girl. Last year, there were 72 people who fell victim to gun violence. Of those, 10 people received fatal wounds.
Independence Day Celebrations
Even though celebrating the 4th of July isn’t for everyone, there are still some who look forward to the holiday. Some people take the time to go on vacation or camping. Others just plan a day of family fun. This can include a day at the beach, throwing a barbecue, or having some fun at an amusement park.
Not to mention, watching the colorful fireworks dancing in the sky. This year the Navy Pier will not be hosting fireworks on Independence Day. Instead, they will be holding some on the 5th and then every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m. People will be able to enjoy the lakefront fireworks until Labor Day.
There will be fireworks in the city thrown by Guaranteed Rate Field for the Chicago White Sox vs. the Toronto Blue Jays game.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
NBC 5 Chicago: Chicago-area 4th of July fireworks: Where you can still see displays in city, suburbs
The New York Times: No Sparklers for These Folks
Chicago Sun-Times: 36 people shot, five fatally, so far over the long Fourth of July weekend in Chicago
Axios: 2 dead, 28 injured in shooting at Baltimore block party
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Amir Kbah‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Cary Lee‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
