Sharpton says America’s 250th anniversary is not a Black ‘celebration’
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MS NOW host Rev. Al Sharpton said the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States is not a “celebration” for Black people and that it is “crazy” to expect them to celebrate it.
“They’re going to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, but that’s not our celebration,” Sharpton said Wednesday at the National Action Network’s 35th Anniversary National Convention. he said.
He continued: “We were slaves then, and they’re celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. We didn’t even get our freedom until 1863. So I don’t know what everyone’s getting ready to celebrate.” [for]. You know I think it’s crazy to wear a birthday hat to your birthday party. This is not my party.”
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Al Sharpton referenced the upcoming 250th Anniversary of the founding of the country. (BRANDONJ74 via Getty Images)
Sharpton suggested he should hold a separate rally in Philadelphia and expressed concern that young citizens are not aware of Black “history,” thanks to President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., trying to eliminate woke aspects of education.
“When white kids hear us talk about reparations or affirmative action, they think it’s an attack because they don’t know what their grandparents did to us,” Sharpton said.
Sharpton has criticized removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from businesses and schools, threatening boycotts against businesses that have rolled back DEI initiatives since Trump’s second term began.
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MS NOW host Al Sharpton has previously voiced efforts to erase DEI from schools and businesses. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
He also accused DeSantis of trying to “erase Black history” after his administration requested revisions to the AP African American studies course in 2023.
Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who spoke with Sharpton earlier in the meeting, also emphasized the importance of remembering the nation’s history of slavery and advocated for the creation of a “Department of Reconciliation” to address the issue.
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“Just like we have a Secretary of Education, a Secretary of Labor, we need a Secretary of Conciliation. We need a Secretary of Conciliation who will report directly to a president, not this president. And his job will be to reconcile our differences,” Green said.
Reverend Al Sharpton, President and Founder of the National Action Network, introduces Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for a fireside chat during the National Action Network (NAN) annual convention at the Sheraton Times Square on April 08, 2026 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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He added, “And that settlement, from my perspective, I say this unashamedly, unashamedly. I am unapologetically black, and I say: that includes reparations. Reparations for 240 years of free labor that people still benefit from today and we were denied opportunities while they did.”
