As America Marks 250 Years, Elizabeth’s Black Community Says the Nation’s Freedom Story Is Still Incomplete

As the United States prepares to mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, many communities are reflecting on the country’s history and achievements. In Elizabeth, New Jersey, however, some Black community leaders believe the anniversary should also encourage an honest discussion about the parts of American history that remain unresolved.
Their message is not focused on the celebration alone. Instead, they say the milestone should remind Americans to examine how the nation’s promises of freedom and equality have been experienced differently by different communities throughout history.
Elizabeth holds a unique place in American history because it was established before the United States became an independent nation. Over the centuries, the city has witnessed both moments of progress and painful chapters connected to slavery, racial discrimination, and the long struggle for civil rights.
One of the darkest moments in the city’s history occurred in 1741, when three enslaved African men were executed after being accused of participating in a slave conspiracy. Today, memorials recognizing those men, along with more than 300 enslaved and free Africans buried in unmarked graves at Siloam-Hope First Presbyterian Church, serve as lasting reminders of a difficult past that continues to shape conversations in the present.
For community activist Kason Little and Rev. Dr. Wanda Lundy, America’s 250th anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on what freedom truly means and whether the country’s founding ideals have been fully realized for everyone.
Little, a 28-year-old educator and activist from Elizabeth, believes the struggle for equality continues today. He says freedom is more than a historical achievement. In his view, it means ending systems that continue to negatively affect Black communities and helping future generations heal from the lasting effects of injustice.
His recent work has included participating in demonstrations outside Delaney Hall, an immigration detention facility in Newark, where protesters have raised concerns about federal immigration policies and conditions inside the center.
Although his activism focuses on present-day issues, Little says his commitment is deeply connected to his family’s history. He explained that generations of his relatives were involved in civil rights efforts, voting rights campaigns, and advocacy for racial justice. Growing up in Elizabeth while learning about his family’s roots in North Carolina inspired him to become involved in community organizing from an early age.
According to Little, he began attending public meetings as a teenager and has remained committed to continuing the work started by earlier generations. He believes each generation has a responsibility to build upon the sacrifices made by those who came before them.
Rev. Dr. Wanda Lundy approaches the same questions from a different perspective. As pastor of Siloam-Hope First Presbyterian Church and co-chair of Elizabeth’s 250th anniversary efforts, she believes lasting progress begins with honest conversations about history.
Since arriving in Elizabeth in 2019, Lundy has become deeply connected to the city’s historic cemetery, where Africans, Europeans, and likely Indigenous people are buried. Visiting the site led her to reflect on the stories of those who lived through slavery and to consider what lessons their lives still hold today.
Lundy believes America’s upcoming anniversary should inspire people to ask difficult but necessary questions. She encourages conversations between descendants of enslaved people and descendants of enslavers, saying meaningful healing requires truth, accountability, and a willingness to confront painful parts of history rather than avoiding them.
For her, the nation’s founding promise of freedom remains an ideal that has not yet been fully achieved. She believes Americans should honestly ask whether everyone enjoys equal freedom today, whether equal freedom should exist for all citizens, and what actions are needed to move closer to that goal.
These discussions became even more important to Lundy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the nationwide response to George Floyd’s death, and as preparations for America’s 250th anniversary continued. Those events encouraged her to bring together families connected through Elizabeth’s history of slavery to discuss historical responsibility and reconciliation.
Memory also plays an important role in how Little views Elizabeth’s history. He points to the former Dr. Thelma C. Hurd School as one example of a place that provided safety, opportunity, and encouragement for generations of Black students. For him, preserving such places helps connect young people with the achievements and struggles of those who came before them.
While Little emphasizes activism and public action, Lundy focuses on dialogue and historical understanding. Despite their different approaches, both believe remembering history is essential for building a stronger future.
Little says today’s generation carries a moral responsibility to continue pursuing justice while honoring the sacrifices of earlier generations. He believes remembering the past should inspire action that creates greater opportunity and equality for those who follow.
Lundy shares a similar sense of responsibility but believes preserving historical truth is equally important. Through projects that encourage descendants of both enslaved people and enslavers to meet and talk openly, she hopes future generations will inherit a fuller understanding of America’s history.
She acknowledges that discussing slavery remains painful for many families regardless of their backgrounds. Even so, she believes avoiding those conversations only delays healing and prevents communities from learning from history.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the experiences of Elizabeth’s Black community highlight how national milestones can carry different meanings for different Americans. While the anniversary celebrates the nation’s founding, leaders like Little and Lundy believe it should also encourage reflection on the work that remains in fulfilling the country’s promise of liberty and equality for everyone.

Sources

• NJ Advance Media (NJ.com)
• Official Reference:
• National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)