Eddie Glaude Jr on the American Project at 250
As the United States prepares to celebrate 250 years since its founding, Princeton University professor Eddie Glaude Jr sits down with Kai Wright to discuss the deep conflicts at the heart of the American project. Glaude argues that Black Americans have played a vital role in establishing the country, but their presence is a constant reminder that the American fantasy – the story of a white republic – does not exist.
Normalization of White Supremacist Rhetoric
Glaude and Wright discuss how the Trump administration has normalized white supremacist rhetoric and the myriad ways the president is trying to whitewash history. According to Glaude, Trump is desecrating the Lincoln Memorial, a civic sacred ground, by using it as a backdrop for divisive politics.
Glaude's New Book
Glaude's book America, USA: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries is out now. In it, he explores how race has always been central to American identity and how the nation's anniversaries have been used to reinforce a whitewashed version of history. He states, 'We’re witnessing the end of the America that made our lives possible.'
Impact on the Nation's Future
The conversation highlights the ongoing struggle over America's identity and the role of race in shaping its future. Glaude's insights offer a critical perspective on what the 250th anniversary truly means for all Americans.
