Scholar Challenges Audience to Confront Nation’s ‘Divided Soul’ Ahead of America’s 250th Anniversary

Alabama A&M University welcomed nationally recognized scholar, author and public commentator Eddie S. Glaude Jr. on Feb. 19 for its Black History Month Legacy Gala in the Knight Center Ballroom, where he delivered a thought-provoking address examining race, democracy and the meaning of American patriotism as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

Glaude, a New York Times bestselling author and distinguished professor at Princeton University, is widely known for his work exploring the complexities of the American experience. His books, including “Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America” and “Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul,” challenge readers to confront the nation’s history while imagining a more just future.

Framing his remarks around July 4, 2026 — the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding — Glaude described the milestone as a moment of both celebration and reckoning.

“Declarations of love of country will abound,” Glaude said. “But some part of what is celebrated has to be true.”

He argued that national anniversaries often elevate myth over complexity, presenting a version of American exceptionalism that overlooks the contradictions embedded in the country’s founding. Unlike previous commemorations, he said, the 250th anniversary arrives at a time of deep division.

“What I am trying to suggest is the double consciousness that’s often attributed to us is actually a consequence of the double consciousness of the nation,” Glaude said. “Y’all feel me?”

Glaude pointed to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement as a moment when the country briefly confronted those contradictions.

“You have this Black Lives Matter movement that’s exposing this divided soul of the nation, and the backlash has been swift and harsh,” he said. Reflecting on the rapid shift in public discourse, he added, “The only thing you can conclude, given the swiftness of the backlash, is that folks were lying. They didn’t mean what they said.”

He cautioned that some observances of the 250th anniversary risk returning to what he described as a “storybook America,” one that minimizes the role of Black Americans in order to preserve a more comfortable national narrative. In contrast, he highlighted the long tradition of Black freedom celebrations — from early abolition commemorations to Juneteenth — as examples of how Black communities have historically held the nation accountable to its own democratic ideals.

Throughout his address, Glaude emphasized that celebrating Black history in the current moment is itself a meaningful act. He encouraged the audience to engage the American past honestly, arguing that a truthful reckoning is essential to realizing the promise of a more perfect union.

The evening also featured performances by the AAMU Jazz Ensemble and University Choir, followed by the presentation of the 2026 Bulldog Legacy & Impact Awards. Honorees included student Terry Dukes, a senior computer science major and president of the AAMU Honors Council; faculty/staff recipient Dr. Janet M’mbaha-Zarnesky, an award-winning scholar and community-engaged educator; and alumni awardee Willie “Randy” Love, a dedicated mentor and active ambassador for the University. Each was recognized for exemplifying Alabama A&M University’s core values of scholarship, leadership and service while making a meaningful impact on campus and beyond.

A total of 49 nominations were submitted across the three award categories. Recipients were selected by review teams comprised of students, faculty and staff who carefully evaluated each nomination.

The Legacy Gala is part of a series of campuswide events throughout February as Alabama A&M University continues its celebration of Black History Month, highlighting culture, service, entrepreneurship and the enduring legacy of Black leadership.