On the Fourth of July, America dresses in red, white, and blue. There are fireworks, barbecues, flags and patriotic songs.
And among all of that, there’s us. The ones who came from far away. The ones who speak with an accent. The ones who one day raised their right hand and swore allegiance to a flag that wasn’t the one of our childhood.
Becoming a U.S. citizen, for many of us, wasn’t just a legal step. It was a choice. A leap of faith. The end of a long wait filled with paperwork, interviews and uncertainties. And the beginning of a new identity — complex, bilingual and built between borders.
We weren’t born here. But we chose to be here. And that choice is powerful.
When I celebrate the Fourth of July, I do it from that place. From gratitude.
But also, from memory. I think of my family. Of what we left behind. Of what we’ve built. Of how this country taught us to fight for rights we never knew we had. And how we’ve also had to learn to claim space, to speak up, to vote, to exist with dignity.
Patriotism doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes it doesn’t fit in a song or a parade. Sometimes it shows up in voting for the first time. In defending our native language without apology. In speaking out for those still undocumented, but full of dreams. In celebrating without erasing who we are.
Being a citizen is a privilege. But it’s also a responsibility. It’s about caring for this country as our own — because it is. And also continuing to be who we were with our flavors, our holidays, our scars, our voices.
This Fourth of July, as I watch the fireworks rise, I whisper to myself: “This is my country, too. This is my story, too.” And so, I celebrate, not as forgetfulness, but as belonging.
Because we belong here. Because freedom isn’t inherited, it’s built.
And how do we celebrate as a community?
This year, Cumberland County offers many ways to commemorate Independence Day:
Red, White & BOOM! at Fort Bragg: a big celebration with live music, food, games and fireworks. It kicks off on Saturday, June 28, with artists like Ludacris, Parmalee, and Neon Trees.
Firecracker 4 Miler and 1-Mile Family Run on the morning of July 4 at Veterans Park in Fayetteville. A healthy way to start the day with your family and promote community wellness.
Evening concert and fireworks in Fayetteville at Festival Park after a full day of cultural and recreational activities for all ages.
Afternoon fun at Omni Family Amusement Center: a great option for those who prefer indoor activities, with mini golf, over 100 arcade games and cool air.
For even more Fourth of July events, check out CityView’s DestinationFAY 2025-2026 edition here.
And if you’re not sure where to start, begin with something simple. Show up at a local event — there are many in Fayetteville and Fort Bragg — not to fit in, but to connect.
Talk to your kids about what it truly means to be a citizen. Observe, celebrate, take it all in: snap photos, tell your story, share it with others.
