FLASHBACK FOURTH REFLECTIONS
By Rev. Dr. Larry Delano Coleman
Thursday, July 04, 2013
“What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” Frederick
Douglass piquantly posed in 1852.
Fair question then. Fair question now.
I remember reading that memorable speech aloud to my sons in
the 1990’s. Not that it necessarily stuck with them. Kids are powered by their
own unique dynamos. Each must make its
own way.
“But, at least I did my part,” as my Mama would relentless
say about me and my spiritual journey.
One tradition that our sons did adopt, at least in spirit—if
not in fact—was barbecuing, or at least eating it, on the Fourth of July. Ditto
that for every other warm and sunny holiday.
Daddy started us out early. With the American flag proudly fluttering
from the front porch, in homage to the nation for which he served—in segregated
circumstances in World War II--he would be in the back yard barbecuing. Having risen “’fore day in the mornin’” to prepare
his fire and his meat, he’d be on it!
“His” is used because, for us, barbecuing was a distinctly
male ritual over which Daddy lorded, unchallenged, and without rival, for as
long as he lived.
I can smell that sweet savor now! Of ribs and chicken and rib
tips and franks, and sometimes steak.
Mama, meanwhile, was preparing her potent potato salad, from
scratch of course; with real potatoes—that she’d manually mash—boiled eggs,
onions, green peppers, salt and pepper and whatever else! Naturally, collard
greens, cornbread, spaghetti or corn on the cob or macaroni and cheese, were
there.
Everybody that came ate: naturally all 10 of us, 14 if our
older sister and brother and spouses were in town. Included were uncles, aunts,
cousins—real and play—friends and neighbors and whomever else!
It was nothing but a party! Complete with music, signifying,
sermonizing, philosophying, laughing, joking, out-right lying—family-friendly
fun. All day long, folks came, ate,
tarried and left, in droves.
Of course, the St. Louis Cardinals’ baseball game was always
blaring on the radio with Harry Caray, Jack Buck, and Joe Garagiola bringing
the play by play!
Then later came fireworks—including firecrackers (whether
legal or not)—or fireworks displays!
While the FREEDOM WAR continues for us colored folks, we
certainly have had big fun along the way!
#30
#30
