Jul 4

Jul 4 Rabbi Michael

“What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is a constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes that would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation of the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour.

”

— Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852 (Rochester, New York)

A demonstration highlighting police brutality was scheduled for noon today in Federal Plaza. I didn’t expect a huge group of demonstrations—beautiful weather and a long weekend meant many people would staying around the house, cooking hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. I was right—by my count there were seven demonstrators present, but one or two others filtered in and out during the next hour.

The organizer was Rabbi Michael—the name he gave me when I asked. When Rabbi Michael holds a demonstration, there is no need for thousands of demonstrators. The Rabbi is a fantastic orator—one the best I’ve seen. Captivating. No pauses, “ahs,” or “ooms.” Just a steady flow of perfectly formed sentences. Although few in number, those present were enthusiastic, sometimes shouting in unison their agreement with the Rabbi.

While the single banner called for a boycott of the Fourth of July to protest police brutality, Rabbi Michael’s remarks covered many more issues and topics. Reparations came up, as did NASCAR. The Rabbi also covered the marginalization of Blacks throughout society, outsider status, lack of independence, lack of economic resources, and the reallocation of some resources to newly arrived migrants.

The recently designated Juneteenth holiday? To Rabbi Michael, it offers no solutions to the underlying problems and issues facing Blacks. The Juneteenth flag isn’t even “ours.” Clarence Thomas, Paul Vallas, and Breonna Taylor received mention. The Rabbi also addressed the controversy that erupted when several hundred Black young people came downtown six or seven weeks ago. He apparently is on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s side—no blanket demonization of Black youth just because several engaged in disruptions and violence.

So many emotions were on display: anger, frustration, and hurt were among them. I also detected a sense of isolation, which is not surprising when someone views himself as as an outcast from the mainstream.

I had trouble imagining bearing the weight of all this emotion 24/7. It must take a mental, as well as physical toll. I also wondered what the Rabbi had planned for the remainder of the day. While he was calling for the boycott of the Fourth of July, I hope he had some time to relax with his family and friends. The skies were largely clear and the temperatures high. Maybe he planned a picnic or barbeque; one without fireworks and flags, but one filled with some levity.

The Loop was largely empty, which was what I expected before hopping on the bus. A few skateboarders graced Federal Plaza, but they went about their business leaping, grinding, and falling.

As the Rabbi spoke, pedestrians in groups of three and four walked up Dearborn or traversed Adams, headed toward Grant Park. They served as props. The Rabbi would turn toward the street, asking passersby provocative questions about how they were experiencing the Fourth of July—in his eyes, very differently from himself and the other demonstrators. Was he trying to induce feelings of guilt and shame? The tension was palpable, with those passing the plaza turning their gaze downward, or quickening their pace. No one was expecting the callout: They were thinking about getting a cold drink on a hot summer afternoon, heading to a family picnic, or walking along the Lakefront.

The Rabbi also called out tourists seated on open-roofed sightseeing buses. At one point, several women wearing headscarfs passed by. At that point, Rabbi Michael turned to them, calling for a Free Palestine.

This impromptu street theater was highly effective. If the Rabbi stages another demonstration—which he undoubtedly will do—I would recommend holding it in Jane Byrne Park, home to the Chicago’s historic Water Tower, or in the plaza between the Tribune Tower and the Apple store on Michigan Avenue. He would have far more passersby to challenge, and the confrontation would be more direct.

As for today’s efforts, the Rabbi proved that you don’t necessarily need thousands of people for an impactful demonstration.

Postscripts: Today NPR’s All Things Considered featured the Frederick Douglass speech asking what July 4th means to a slave. For me, Douglass’ words now have a little more relevance. In addition, one of the local television stations interviewed people along the Evanston Fourth of July parade route. Two of the interviewees were Black women. They had an entirely different perspective on the Fourth of July. Both were enjoying the celebration and family, which for me, proved to be a stark contrast with what was transpired in Federal Plaza. I do not take one side or the other as to who holds the correct view. The question boils down to individual perspectives.

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