Thomas Massie: “I fully support creating a day to celebrate the abolition of slavery, a dark portion of our Nation's history. However…”

“I fully support creating a day to celebrate the abolition of slavery, a dark portion of our Nation's history. However, naming this day National Independence Day will create confusion and push Americans to pick one of those 2 days as their Independence Day based on their racial identity. Why can't we name this Emancipation Day and come together as Americans and celebrate that day together as Americans? Black and White--all colors, all races, and all ethnicities--can then come together on Independence Day, which celebrates the creation of our country, throwing off an oppressive government, and come together as Black, White, and all races to celebrate that day, too? Why ask Americans to pick one of the two Independence Days to celebrate? I think it is wrong to do that. I think this day is misnamed. I do support creating a holiday and recognizing that wonderful day and that wonderful time when we got rid of slavery in this country. But let's celebrate both of those days: Independence Day and the day that we celebrate emancipation and ridding our country of slavery. Let's celebrate those 2 days together as one Nation under God indivisible.”