Ken Burns on America at 250: revolution, patriotism, and the fight ahead
Ken Burns returns to Independent Americans for an America 250 conversation that hits every nerve in this moment — the abdication of Congress, the renaming of forts back to Confederate traitors, medals for Wounded Knee, and a Department of War that used to be called Defense for a reason. This is patriotism taught the way it should be taught: complex, honest, and grounded in the actual story of who we are. If you're in the Angry Middle and sick of jingoism masquerading as love of country, this one is for you.
America is 250 years old, and the columns holding up the edifice of democratic institutions are visibly cracking. Paul Rieckhoff sits down…
The Brief
→ Four things from today’s episodeKen Burns on why the founders would be shocked not by a stro. Ken Burns on why the founders would be shocked not by a strongman but by a Congress that abdicated Article I
The Wounded Knee medals reversal and what Burns calls "obvio. The Wounded Knee medals reversal and what Burns calls "obvious racist editing" of American history
Renaming forts back to Confederate generals. traitors, in Burns' words — and the cost of that message
Baseball as a barometer of America. immigration, Jackie Robinson, and why every player wears 42 on April 15
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