Eddie Glaude Jr. speaks in Philadelphia on March 1, 2023.
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Lisa Lake/Getty Images
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Princeton historian Eddie Glaude Jr. expresses a profound sense of anger. He introduces his latest book, America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation’s Anniversaries, with a stark statement: “I do not love America, and never have, especially now.”
Glaude highlights the Supreme Court’s actions to weaken the Voting Rights Act and the redistricting efforts that could reduce Black representation in Congress.
“This book was an attempt to gain some footing, to manage my anger and sadness,” Glaude explains.
America, U.S.A. examines the nation through the lens of its past anniversaries and centennials. Glaude notes that, as the 250th anniversary nears, America must confront its shortcomings in fulfilling its founding ideals.
“America needs to mature,” he asserts. “It can’t continue to see itself as both a freedom beacon and a white republic without acknowledging the contradictions that lie at its core.”
Interview highlights
On starting his book with the sentence: “I do not love America”
I had drafted an introduction that felt incomplete. I knew I was holding back. Revisiting the first paragraph, I suddenly wrote this sentence. It surprised me, and I wondered about the implications of leaving it in. But a voice in my head insisted, “This is your truth. Start here, then explain.” So, I did.
On the significance of the country’s anniversaries
At these milestone moments, the nation must narrate its story, focusing on its founding. As we approach the 250th anniversary, the narrative will emphasize the founders’ sainthood and the sanctity of this grand experiment.
On what patriotism means to him
When I hear fervent expressions of patriotism, it often sounds like a rebel yell to me. Those who drape themselves in the flag’s sanctity are frequently the ones who wish to see me confined to a certain role, attack voting rights, and dismiss the unique experiences that shape my view of this place. When I hear such passionate declarations of love for the country, I question the motives behind them.
On a storybook version of America’s founding he was told during a 2024 tour of Philadelphia’s Congress Hall
The guide led us through Congress Hall, recounting tales of conflicts not along party lines, but regionally. He described the primary dispute as a cultural difference between the North and South, citing a handshake versus a bow as the main issue. It left me seeing ghosts of the past, a clear example of a sanitized, storybook version of history.
Anna Bauman and Susan Nyakundi produced and edited this interview for broadcast. Bridget Bentz and Meghan Sullivan adapted it for the web.
