Biden’s posh vacation enclave roiled as church axes July 4 tradition over ‘whiteness’ debate: ‘Spewing lies’

Nantucket Church Cancels Long‑Running Fourth‑of‑July Readings Over “Whiteness” Concerns

NANTUCKET, Mass. – The Nantucket Unitarian Universalist (NUU) congregation announced on Thursday that it would forego its 25‑year tradition of publicly reading the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights on July 4. The decision, made in an effort to “better understand our own whiteness,” drew sharp criticism from social‑media commentators and prompted a nearby Episcopal church to step in and read the documents instead.

The letter issued by the NUU and Reverend Erin Splaine of the Second Congregational Meeting House Society said the cancellation “reflects an on‑going process within the congregation to better understand our own whiteness.” It explained that “for those of us who are white the experience of the rights and privileges conferred by the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the United States have, for centuries, been tragically, often violently, and unequally applied to fellow citizens who are not white.”

The annual event, held in downtown Nantucket at the historic Unitarian Meeting House, has drawn tourists, local residents and the island’s well‑known guests—including former President Joe Biden and his family, who visit every year for Thanksgiving—since 1999. For the past 25 years the reading has been promoted by the church and the island’s Chamber of Commerce as a public celebration of the holiday and the nation’s founding documents.

In the letter, Splaine made clear that she would not respond to inquiries on social media but could be “appointed to speak.” “Social media is not the place for important, tender conversations,” the message read.

The announcement sparked immediate backlash on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms. Commenters ranged from accusing the church of “canceling a national holiday” to accusing the NUU of pandering to left‑wing sensibilities. Some posts also highlighted Nantucket’s reputation as an enclave for the wealthy and the political significance of its high‑profile visitors.

In response to the cancellation, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church announced it would read the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights on the Fourth. Rev. Max Wolf said, “We may not be there yet but we felt it was important to gather together and try to live up to the promises our country has made. Those documents are aspirational.” St. Paul’s plans to hold the reading at its church on the island, offering an alternative for residents and visitors who still wish to observe the tradition.

The decision comes amid a broader national conversation about how America’s 250th anniversary will be marked. Several states and communities across the country have debated whether to celebrate the founding documents or to use the milestone as a time to examine issues of race, privilege and constitutional rights.

Neither the NUU nor the island’s officials responded to requests for further comment after the initial letter. The U.S. Office of the President, including the Biden administration, was likewise not contacted for a statement. The church’s move has, however, opened a dialogue among Nantucket residents about how the island’s cultural events reflect contemporary values.

For now, the tradition of publicly reading America’s founding documents on the Fourth of July will live on in Nantucket, but under a different auspices.