From Hot Pot to Hot Dogs: Asian American Perspectives on the Fourth of July

By Editorial Board

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or many who call the United States their home, the Fourth of July is often characterized by hamburgers and hot dogs sizzling on a charcoal grill, family and friends gathering to watch fireworks, and everything adorned in red, white, and blue. More than festivities and food, the holiday reminds us of the founding values of the country: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

As history will show, however, this sentiment did not include all people. As the US grows more diverse every year, new generations join the struggle of reconciling this reality and finding their place in the story. For Asian Americans, and especially those observing July 4th for the first time, the holiday offers an opportunity to reflect on what this day means to us and how our cultural identities shape the way we celebrate.  

For this occasion, Reclaim has asked our readers to share their unique perspectives. 

If you are an Asian American, or if this is your first July 4th, what does the Fourth of July mean to you?

“It just meant hotpot with the parents.” - @prediscover

“Honestly the 4th of July meant America’s biggest party. In a positive way, it meant a fun time with friends, BBQ-ing, and watching fireworks. Recently, in a negative way it means national pride taking precedence over everything else.” - JS

“First July 4th as an American. I find myself more excited about this 4th than any of the previous 9 I have experienced.” - TN

“July 4th always meant something foreign to me or that I was a foreigner. Anything with the flag, hot dogs, and hamburgers, meant it wasn’t for me. My Korean family would make galbi and tons of food but it wasn’t a celebration of freedom; it was just a day off for us together. As I grew up, connecting the pieces of history and also knowing the role of the US globally, I grew even more distant to July 4th.” - @nahyahkayti

“Fourth of July was a sense of joy and gratitude knowing that we are part of a country that allows us to freely worship. We take pride in being Korean AMERICANS!” - RK

“I don’t [think] this holiday meant to include POC. To me, it’s just a reminder that freedom only applies to some.” - ES

Has your perspective on the holiday changed at all in the past year or so? If so, why?

“My personal perspective on the 4th of July has changed over the years. Before, it didn't really mean much, but now I feel like knowing the peoples that were hurt and oppressed in America's history, it feels like a symbol of all of that. So, it actually has a negative sort of connotation in my mind.” - @prediscover

“I think it has changed from the mindset of ‘proud to be an American.’ I think my perspective has reframed what to celebrate on this day. Rather than celebrate the pride of being an American, I think there is still value in having gratitude of the vision of independence that tried to shape how we have allowed America to become a ‘melting pot.’ So instead it is more ‘grateful to be an American.’ Whereas I have heard in other Western countries there are still more blunt forms of racism.” - JS

“I feel like this is my holiday too now. I felt like I was looking in from the outside at this great day but felt excluded and outside its meaning. Immigrating from South Africa, the concept of freedom runs very deep with me. This 4th I will celebrate this holiday as my own.” - TN

“In my opinion, America is fragmented and even full of hypocrisy when we talk about freedom. Fourth of July marks a partial freedom, which is no freedom at all. The reckoning with the truth that our brothers and sisters (Black and Indigenous) were enslaved and killed while celebrating ‘freedom’ from an oppressive state is hypocritical to say the least. Also the past few years have revealed more truths of our collective history to a broader audience through seeing the same narratives still ringing ever so true across the board. Now with my family of Black and Korean Americans, our celebration in freedom looks different from even when I was only celebrating with my Korean family. But all in all, even in the midst of knowing the truth of the 4th of July, we are grateful for the freedoms that liberate us through truths, grace and redemption of the gospel.” - @nahyahkayti

“No it had not. If anything, it makes me want to hold on to it more.” - RK

“For sure has changed. I think I wasn’t aware of history enough, therefore I never felt bad ‘celebrating’ it. Hearing Frederick Douglass’s famous speech changed my mind and made me more aware of our history. I don’t judge anyone that celebrates it because I’m sure for white people it’s a nice thing to be proud of [on] some level. I’m proud to be in a country much better than where I immigrated from. Blessed, of course! But this holiday is not meant for people like me.” - ES

How will you be celebrating this year?

“It feels odd to be celebrating the 4th of July at all, because of what it seems to represent. With the recent loss of my grandma and my parents being overseas to tend to that, I probably won't be celebrating it in any capacity.” - @prediscover

“Friends from my church group are celebrating their birthday so we will be doing that and then mostly just watching fireworks together. When I looked up Independence Day events, many of them still gave off national pride vibes so I wanted to avoid those.” - JS

“First, I will celebrate the 4th with my church family and then I will spend the day with my family and friends in typical fashion, around the grill.”  -TN

“Each year, we try to teach our children our collective history and in doing so, we learn to lament and celebrate. We will eat delicious food from both of our cultures, and now with vaccinations, we are hopefully to celebrate with our community and neighbors.” - @nahyahkayti

“We will be getting together with family and sharing a nice meal.” - RK

Photo by Stephanie McCabe on Unsplash