By: Iris Xu
Growing up in Benton, Arkansas, Malaya Tapp cherished the Fourth of July festivities with her family. Parades, firework shows, and spending time with friends made it a fun and memorable holiday. However, as she enters adulthood and prepares to start college next year, celebrating Independence Day has become more complex for her.
In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement shed light on the injustices prevalent across the nation and led Tapp to experience a loss of her patriotic sentiments. She also became increasingly aware that certain elements of the Fourth of July celebrations were no longer appealing to her.
One such aspect is the fireworks that are practically synonymous with the festivities. Tapp expressed concerns about the difficulty of distinguishing between the sounds of gunshots and fireworks, especially in Atlanta where there are frequent reports of shootings. Late at night, people wake up due to the fireworks, wondering if it was a shooting or just celebration. This uncertainty makes Tapp anxious. Additionally, she noted that fireworks release harmful toxins, causing environmental harm. Given these new considerations, Tapp has decided to skip the holiday altogether this year. This adds to the greenhouse gas emissions, polluting the world.
Tapp’s perspective reflects a growing sentiment among Americans, particularly younger individuals, who are reconsidering their desire to celebrate Independence Day. According to the New York Times, a survey conducted by YouGov found that just 56 percent of American adults planned to participate in Fourth of July festivities this year.
Marissa Vivori, a 29-year-old tech product manager in Manhattan, recalls the last time she celebrated the Fourth of July a few summers ago. She described a chaotic experience on a crowded Long Island Rail Road train to the Hamptons, where she didn’t get a seat and had to endure an overflowing toilet. Vivori confessed that she never truly enjoyed the holiday, even as a child because she felt sorry for the animals disturbed by fireworks.
Despite the different aspects of the loss of interest in July 4th, many individuals, including celebrities, are still embracing the patriotic spirit. Singers like Demi Lovato, Post Malone, and Sheryl Crow are performing in CNN’s Fourth of July Special, while Ja Rule entertains the audience live at Coney Island as part of an Independence Day celebration.
Logistical challenges also arise when celebrating in New York City. Vivori pointed out the dilemma of deciding whether to endure the sweltering Manhattan heat while trying to find a spot to watch the fireworks or to escape to the Jersey Shore or the Hamptons, which can be costly and overcrowded. Furthermore, political concerns, such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade, have further dampened her enthusiasm for the holiday.
Allison Bartella, a 30-year-old publicist in Brooklyn, is another person who has chosen to reject a holiday she never genuinely enjoyed. Bartella likens the Fourth of July to New Year’s Eve, explaining that the expectations are often high but seldom met. She mentions the discomfort of eating food left out in the sun, being startled by random fireworks on the street, and the overall disappointment that frequently accompanies the day.
A significant number of Americans are grappling with the realization that the Fourth of July is no longer a unifying and communal day. Conner Miskowiec, a 28-year-old content creator in Phoenix, created a video series in which he asked strangers about their plans for celebrating Independence Day. The responses varied from staunch support for the American dream to reservations about celebrating a country that still has much work to do.
The Fourth of July is here, and some Americans, particularly younger individuals, are reevaluating their stance on celebrating Independence Day.