"A Success in Every Particular": British August First Celebrations in Canada and America and the Black Quest for Unblemished Commemorations, While Critiquing July Fourth, 1834–1861. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Broyld, dann j.
• Is Part Of: American review of Canadian studies. Volume 47:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 335
• Page End: 356
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: August First -- July Fourth -- British Emancipation -- Black freedom -- Canada; Comparative civilization -- Periodicals; Canada -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Canada -- Periodicals; United States -- Periodicals; 971
• DOI: 10.1080/02722011.2017.1409244
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-2011

Abstract

ABSTRACT: British August First celebrations were an important day of the year for Blacks in North America. Elite and aspiring organizers attempted to use the holiday as a sight of excellence. Partakers understood they were watched closely during commemorations and that their slightest imperfections could be magnified to unreasonable proportions. Thereby, Blacks felt it was essential to present themselves in near "perfection" to prove that they could be "upstanding citizens." This article asserts that the standard of outright excellence Blacks attempted to execute on August First was neither achievable nor performed by Whites at celebrations like July Fourth. While Whites could be the notorious offenders of uncivilized and imperfect behavior, First celebrations were to be as the Liberator proclaimed an "array of virtue, loveliness, moral heroism, and true piety." In all, when Blacks utilized the power to assemble, it was viewed more as a potential site of lawlessness and subversion, despite their efforts.