Jon Meacham Says America Became a 1965 Democracy, Not in 1776
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 2
Jon Meacham Says America Became a 1965 Democracy, Not in 1776
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 2
Summary
Jon Meacham said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that the U.S. became a true multiracial, multiethnic democracy in 1965, not at its 1776 founding.
1965 marked that shift, he argued, because the Voting Rights Act and Immigration and Nationality Act expanded political inclusion beyond the narrower definition embedded in the founding era.
Meacham made the case days before July 4, when the U.S. will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, while still praising the Founding Fathers as imperfect figures who advanced self-government.
The remarks fit a broader debate on the left over the holiday's meaning: Al Sharpton has said the 1776 celebration is "not our celebration," and Joy Reid has argued Juneteenth better reflects real American independence.
The 1965 Voting Rights Act is central to a 'new founding' theory. With it weakened, is that foundation now crumbling?
If a nation's founding is defined by its laws, can Supreme Court rulings effectively alter its very beginning?
Rethinking America’s Founding: Why 1965 Marked the Real Start of Inclusive Democracy
Overview
This report explores Jon Meacham's provocative claim that America only became a true multiracial, multiethnic democracy in 1965, not at its founding in 1776. Meacham's argument, detailed in his book 'American Struggle,' challenges traditional views by highlighting 1965 as a pivotal year when landmark civil rights and immigration laws began to fulfill the nation's promises of equality and representation. The report connects this historical turning point to current issues, such as declining public trust and economic challenges, emphasizing that democracy requires ongoing effort and engagement to maintain its ideals and ensure a more inclusive future.