Today is Independence Day in the United States of America July 4th,

2023. Thank you so much for joining me.

Throughout this holiday we are prepared to endure some of the most shallow and hollow representations of patriotism as defined by white supremacy in this country.

It is the type of patriotism that

waived the American flag but will burn a Black Lives Matter flag. It will waive the

thin blue line flag and support a police officers but it will burn the

LGBT QIA flag. It is the type of patriotism that seeks to undo all of the progress

that was made in the 20th century, yet and still it will be lifted up today as well as throughout the rest of the year as the hallmark of patriotism.

And in today's episode I want to discuss why it is critically necessary for those of us who are people of good faith,

those of us who are fighting for justice, those of us who have fought our ancestors

fought and died in this country's defense, in every single war, black people, we have had people stand and fight

for this country and die for this country since the Revolutionary War.

Every single one of us, black people,

marginalized communities, other minorities,

people of color, the LGBTQIA community,

it is incumbent upon us to snatch away from these the

BantQIA community it is incumbent upon us to snatch away from these traders the mantle of patriotism and not replicate its

emptiness its platitudes it's its inability to make America a more perfect union.

The patriotism that we're dealing with today wants to make America, quote, great again,

which is to take it back to a time before any of us had rights.

No, we're looking for an America that is a more perfect union.

And I want to begin today with a clip from James Earl Jones as he recites a portion of

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