Should You Feel Guilty for Celebrating the Fourth of July?

We’re living in a time when families are being separated, celebrities are attending million-dollar weddings while the threat of war looms, and people of color continue to be targeted. As the Fourth of July approaches—the day the former 13 American colonies declared independence from Great Britain—it can feel difficult to celebrate amid such uncertainty and unrest.

The Declaration of Independence was signed with promises of liberty and equality. The shift from monarchy to self-government was a pivotal moment in history, yet some feel that today’s political climate mirrors the injustices the founders fought against. News coverage of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies—such as turning a Florida jetport into a migrant detention facility or attempting to restrict birthright citizenship—can be unsettling. For many, it raises the question: Why celebrate a country that seems to fall short on empathy and justice?

Feelings of guilt can arise when thinking about fireworks in the context of global conflict, particularly when communities abroad suffer from real bombings and violence.

Still, rather than let guilt overshadow the day, consider using the holiday as a reflection point—an opportunity to remember where we came from and to acknowledge the sacrifices made to build the freedoms we have today. Watching fireworks or attending a barbecue doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to the nation’s flaws. It can also be a moment to consider the kind of country we want to live in—and how we can move it closer to those ideals.

John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and the other signers of the Declaration of Independence likely hoped future generations would celebrate the nation’s birth with pride. Loving your country doesn’t require ignoring its challenges. The Fourth of July can be a time to honor both where we’ve been and where we need to go.