July 4 is a day of mixed emotions for me as a Rwandan-American. Not only is it Independence Day in this country, but it also is Liberation Day in Rwanda — a time to remember being liberated from the abyss of mass murder and the conclusion of 100 days of mourning for the more than 1 million innocent men, women and children murdered during the 1994 genocide.
While others around me revel in parades and barbecues, I will celebrate my independence and liberation. But I'll also be thinking of my relatives — my beloved parents and six brothers and sisters and others who were mercilessly killed, and never had the opportunity to enjoy the true meaning of freedom.
July 4 is a day to not only celebrate our independence but also to reflect on where we've been and where we're going as individuals and as a nation. It is a day when we're supposed to celebrate our rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."