Princeton professor Eddie Glaude Jr. stated on Tuesday that he is approaching America's 250th anniversary on July 4 with "great trepidation," questioning what the country is truly celebrating.
During an interview on "Morning Joe," Glaude expressed his struggle with the anniversary's meaning, particularly in the context of current political discourse. He noted the "cult of personality" surrounding Donald Trump and wondered if the celebration would reflect an idealized version of America or acknowledge the gap between the nation's ideals and its present practices.
"I'm thinking about Donald Trump, kind of, in so many ways, blending his own kind of cult of personality with the celebration of the nation, and wondering what exactly are we celebrating? Is it a storybook version of America?" Glaude asked. "Or are we looking at the way in which our ideals don't match up to our practices, our current practices?"
Glaude voiced concerns that the country is being "destroyed," stating, "I don't know, you know, how can I put this, that the country that made my life possible is being destroyed right in front of me."
He suggested that those who envision America as a "White Republic" are actively working to shape it as such, diminishing the value of diversity. Glaude believes the nation must confront its true history and identity to move forward.
"America, in many ways, has to leave behind [this] guaranteed innocence... And confront who we actually are so that we can release ourselves into being otherwise," he said. "Otherwise, we're not going to make it to the other side of this madness, it seems to me."
Glaude expressed hope that the nation's diversity will prevail against "ugly forces" and cited Senator JD Vance's views on American identity as concerning. He contrasted Vance's perspective with the idea that the nation's creed defines its people.
Fellow "Morning Joe" panelist Mike Barnicle shared his own complex feelings about national pride, acknowledging the historical context of the "Star Spangled Banner" while still finding moments of patriotism in everyday life. Barnicle suggested that while the nation's past cannot be escaped, it can be improved.
However, Glaude stated he does not find optimism for the current moment, attributing his perspective to his background and lived experience of "the contradiction of America itself." He described having a "blue-soaked hope" rooted in faith in human beings despite the nation's burdensome past.
Other media figures have also shared unease about the upcoming anniversary. MSNBC host Ali Velshi, journalist Joy Reid, and Rev. Al Sharpton have all voiced uncertainty. Sharpton noted that for Black Americans, the celebration of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 is complicated by the fact that emancipation did not occur until 1863.
"We were slaves then, and they celebrate signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. We were not even emancipated until 1863. So I don't know what everybody is getting ready for a celebration [for]. You know that it seems crazy for me to have on the birthday hat at your birthday party. That ain't my party," Sharpton said in April.
Reid commented earlier in June that while many Black individuals would take the day off and barbecue, "nobody Black I know is really excited about the 4th of July."