Every year, across the African continent and throughout the diaspora, Black people celebrate Independence Day as if it is the ultimate symbol of freedom. Countries that were once under European rule proudly wave their flags, hold parades, and declare themselves “free.” But free from what? Free to do what? And most importantly, if we are truly free, why do we still have to work so hard just to survive?
Meanwhile, European countries rarely, if ever, celebrate an Independence Day—because they were never colonized. They have never had to break free from a foreign power. Their wealth, their stability, and their dominance in global affairs exist because they were always in control. So why are we, as Africans, still so eager to celebrate an event that only reminds us that we were once conquered and remain under a different form of subjugation today?
It’s time to reject the celebration of independence and start focusing on real freedom—mental, economic, and political liberation.
Independence Day: A Celebration of Colonialism’s Aftermath
Independence Day is not a true victory—it’s the acknowledgment of a temporary transfer of power, often with strings attached. Colonial rulers did not simply pack their bags and leave. Instead, they left behind:
Puppet governments that serve foreign interests.
Economic systems that funnel wealth back to former colonial powers.
Western institutions that dictate African policy through debt and diplomacy.
A mindset of dependence, where we look to the same oppressors for validation and solutions.
If independence was real, why are African nations still economically controlled by the IMF and the World Bank? Why are Western corporations still extracting Africa’s resources while the people struggle? Why do African leaders still bend to the demands of their former colonizers?
Because true independence was never granted—it was an illusion sold to the masses.
Europe Doesn’t Need Independence—Because It Was Never Conquered
Look at the world’s most powerful European nations—Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal—none of them have an Independence Day. Why? Because they never had to beg for their freedom. They were never occupied, enslaved, or stripped of their sovereignty the way African nations were.
Even when European countries were at war with each other, their battles were about expanding their dominance, not reclaiming their independence. They were always in a position of control.
Yet, we, as African people, celebrate independence every year as if we have truly won something. But if the European colonial masters never had to fight for their own independence, what does that say about the state of African people worldwide?
Psychological Chains: Why We Still Love the Celebration of Dependence
African people, both on the continent and in the diaspora, are psychologically conditioned to accept symbolic victories instead of real progress. Celebrating Independence Day is part of this conditioning. It’s a way of saying, “Look! We are free now!”—while completely ignoring the modern chains of economic slavery, cultural erasure, and global exploitation.
The reality is, we are still working for the same masters—they’ve just changed the method of control:
From physical chains to economic chains – We don’t own the industries that generate wealth.
From forced labor to wage slavery – We work tirelessly for the same Western corporations that colonized us.
From direct rule to neocolonialism – Our leaders answer to foreign interests rather than their own people.
Every year, the celebration of independence reinforces our position as former slaves rather than positioning us as people who should be striving for global dominance and self-sufficiency.
Rejecting Independence Day: The First Step to Real Freedom
It’s time to reject the psychological conditioning that keeps us celebrating Independence Day like it’s a true victory. Instead, we need to focus on real independence—not just the kind that comes with a flag and a national anthem, but the kind that comes with:
Economic Power – Control over our own industries, banking systems, and resources.
Cultural Sovereignty – Embracing our African identity without seeking Western validation.
Political Autonomy – Electing leaders who work for us, not for foreign governments or corporations.
A Shift in Mindset – Moving beyond the celebration of past struggles and focusing on building a strong, self-sufficient future.
We need to reject Independence Day as a holiday and instead use that time to reflect on how far we still have to go. Let’s replace celebration with strategy—developing ways to break free from modern colonialism, economic servitude, and global exploitation.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Free Our Minds
Europeans don’t celebrate independence because they were never enslaved, never colonized, and never ruled by outsiders. African people, on the other hand, continue to cling to the illusion of freedom, celebrating independence as if it truly means we have control over our destinies.
But what if we rejected the celebration? What if we stopped acknowledging Independence Day and instead focused on gaining real power? The day we stop celebrating the illusion is the day we take our first step toward true liberation.
Freedom isn’t something you celebrate once a year—it’s something you fight for every single day.
