Joy Reid’s Perspective on Juneteenth Over July 4th

Joy Reid, a journalist known for her far-left stance, made the case that Juneteenth should be the true day of celebration for American freedom, rather than July 4th. She expressed that no Black people she knows celebrate Independence Day with enthusiasm. During a conversation with Alex Wagner, MS NOW analyst, on her YouTube show, Reid highlighted the stark contrast in celebratory attitudes between her White friends and her Black acquaintances.

According to Reid, her White friends celebrate America’s independence joyfully on the Fourth of July, whereas Black people, while enjoying the day’s off work, do not resonate with the Independence Day celebrations. She cited Frederick Douglass in her argument, stating that the Fourth of July represents a celebration for slaveholders who liberated themselves from British taxation on their slave-dependent empire. The complexities of the Fourth of July for Black Americans make it hard to reconcile, akin to Indigenous peoples’ view on Thanksgiving.

Reid’s commentary comes amid the release of a lengthy report by the Illinois Reparations Commission investigating the state’s historical harms against Black citizens.

Joy Reid expressed that Black Americans are happy to have the day off work, yet they do not connect with the spirit of July 4th celebrations. Reid asserted that Juneteenth holds the essence of what the Fourth of July symbolically represents because America only truly became a democracy with the abolition of slavery. The amendments post-Civil War solidified this democratic shift, enforced later down the line during the 1960s.

Alex Wagner chimed in, agreeing that the enforcement of these amendments was delayed. Reid also critiqued President Abraham Lincoln, arguing that he was willing to tolerate slavery for the sake of unity, even if personally opposed to it. She shared a perspective that Lincoln, considered ‘highkey racist,’ advocated for sending freed slaves back to Africa.

Furthermore, Wagner agreed that Juneteenth could reshape views on patriotism. Reid also shared her belief that President Donald Trump embodies America’s historical essence and practices. She described Trump as the representation of America’s history, calling him ‘our just desserts.’ Wagner contested this point, arguing Trump may mirror America’s past, but not its present.

Reid contrasted Trump with former President Barack Obama, suggesting Obama represents America’s pursuit of improvement, while Trump embodies the exposed ‘demon’ of racism America seeks to overcome.