Nantucket Church Cancels July 4 Reading, Citing ‘Whiteness’ Discussion; Another Church Steps In
A Nantucket church that has hosted a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights each July 4 for 25 years canceled this year’s event, citing an ongoing process to “better understand our own whiteness.” The decision was announced in a letter from the Nantucket Unitarian Universalists and Rev. Erin Splaine published by the Nantucket Current on Thursday. Church leaders said the cancellation reflects conversations about race, privilege, and the unequal historical application of constitutional rights. The letter stated Splaine would not engage with concerned individuals on social media but would accept appointments. The cancellation drew criticism from social media users who pointed to the island’s exclusivity and argued it reflects discomfort with celebrating America’s founding ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday. In response, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on the island announced it would host the reading, with Rev. Max Wolf calling the founding documents “aspirational.”
What’s reported
The Nantucket Unitarian Universalists and Rev. Erin Splaine canceled the annual July 4 reading of the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.
The letter cited an “on-going process within the congregation to better understand our own whiteness.”
The tradition had been held for 25 years at the historic Nantucket Unitarian Meeting House.
The letter said Splaine would not engage on social media but would meet by appointment.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church announced it would hold the reading instead, with Rev. Max Wolf stating the documents are “aspirational.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Nantucket Unitarian Meeting House and Biden’s office for comment.
Open questions
The full reasoning behind the decision beyond the public letter is not detailed. It is unclear whether the Biden administration or former President Joe Biden’s office responded to the outlet’s request for comment.
Key figures
Rev. Erin Splaine, minister of the Second Congregational Meeting House Society (Nantucket Unitarian Universalists)
Rev. Max Wolf, minister of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Sources: foxnews.com
