Black Twitter users celebrate Malia Obama’s birthday in lieu of Independence Day
Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, turns 22
July 4 has been celebrated as the United States’ Independence Day since 1776.
While millions will be waving the American flag and watching fireworks to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, others are taking to social media to commemorate another event deemed important: Malia Obama‘s birthday.
The eldest daughter of former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama, Malia, turned 22 on Saturday and Black Twitter is taking full advantage in lieu of Independence Day.
READ MORE: Malia and Sasha Obama to break silence in Neflix’s ‘Becoming’
Due to the racial unrest sparked by the unwarranted killings of unarmed Black citizens George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, national protests have also sparked more enlightenment on the paradoxes of topics like American Independence.
Those choosing not to celebrate the holiday, which recognizes when the 13 American colonies gained independence from Great Britain making way for the founding of the United States, in opposition to America’s past institution of slavery and ongoing denial of equal opportunity and protection for Black Americans have decided to uplift Malia Obama on Twitter.
This outpouring of appreciation to Malia, currently a Harvard University student, is similar to when people dubbed June 14 as Obama Day to praise the former president in an effort to take attention away from current President Donald Trump‘s birthday, as reported by Variety.
As her father has been making public statements denouncing the government’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing unrest caused by police brutality, the public is pining for days when the Obama family resided in the White House.
READ MORE: Obama called back into politics due to the Trump campaign
Some of the posts that celebrate the eldest Obama daughter are direct in their intentions of rebelling against Independence Day:
“Today is a great day for our country. Today, we celebrate a day that means a lot to a lot of people around the world… the birth of Malia Obama,” Timaal Bradford wrote in a tweet.
Today is a great day for our country. Today, we celebrate a day that means a lot to a lot of people around the world…
…the birth of Malia Obama.
Happy birthday, Malia! pic.twitter.com/ajbdkiLDSp
— Timaal Bradford (@timaal_bradford) July 4, 2020
Another user who goes by @yes_indee_d is in favor of renaming and repurposing the holiday as Malia Obama Day.
https://twitter.com/yes_indee_d/status/1279398489722683395
“We, black people, are NOT celebrating amerikka’s ‘Independence day,'” user @PardonMyFro said, rifting on the country’s troubled history with the KKK and white supremacy.
https://twitter.com/PardonMyFro/status/1279038781820153858
Some are commenting on the performance of the current President, including one user who goes by Mrs. Krassenstiein.
Happy 4th of July, and just as importantly, Happy Birthday to Malia Obama — a presidential daughter who doesn't accept patents on Chinese voting machines as payment for her daddy giving China a better trade deal.
— Heidi Krassenstein (@ALampoonLedger) July 4, 2020
Others are also highlighting other important events that happened on July 4:
Malia Obama’s bday is today.
Tuskegee was founded today.Keep it going….
— Popz, Your Biological (@DUCKedOff41) July 4, 2020
There are those who are praising Malia’s accomplishments:
the real celebration today : Malia Obama. Harvard student and equality activist. July 4th goes to you! Happy Birthday! pic.twitter.com/EjIKFiAztO
— nela. (@miss_anelalani) July 4, 2020
How will you be spending your Malia Obama Day?
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