The Guardian launched an open call for Americans to share their reflections on the country’s future as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. The British news outlet said it is collecting responses from across the country ahead of commemorations on the National Mall that will be overseen by President Donald Trump.
In its invitation published Thursday, The Guardian described the milestone as arriving “at a turbulent moment for the country.” The outlet reported that the Trump administration has moved away from some longstanding European allies while navigating ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Domestically, it said the anniversary comes amid “heightened political tensions and concerns over growing political violence.” Civil rights advocates, The Guardian added, have raised alarm over “increasing crackdowns on freedom of expression and marginalized communities.”
The call for reader submissions comes as polling data paints a picture of broad unease. A Gallup survey released this week and cited by The Associated Press found that 77% of Americans believe the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be disappointed with how the United States has turned out — a substantial increase from 25 years ago. The same survey found only 19% said the founders would be pleased. Another Gallup poll released earlier this year found that Americans’ optimism about their own future had sunk to a record low, with about 59% rating their life in five years as “high” — the lowest annual measure since Gallup began asking the question nearly 20 years ago.
The Guardian is asking participants to describe whether the anniversary makes them feel “optimistic, concerned, proud, conflicted or something else entirely” and what they think the moment says about the state of the U.S. and its place in the world. The responses are expected to be used in a feature as the nation observes the semiquincentennial.