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By Emmanuel Williams

July 4, 2026

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Here we are, 250 years since we became an independent nation from the British empire. And you know what? We are still self-reliant.

We are young, we are fun, we are bold, and we are brave, despite our nation’s age.

We grew this way.

Our children are growing up free and courageous. Our communities are supporting themselves like a sports bra. And our celebrities are the only royalty we recognize.

Except for Harry and Meghan. They’re the only royals we can honestly claim as imports from the English royal family, and they are more than welcome here.

Taylor Swift got married yesterday.

In Colorado, we just voted for our governor, senator, and attorney general so The People’s voice has just recently been heard.

Sure, our presidents have been slightly going downhill in their effectiveness, and it seems like every time we elect a Republican we beat that point with a dead-horse-beating baseball bat, but the legal apparatus isn’t the star of the show.

Our artists are what really make this country great.

Actors, Models, Musicians, YouTube Creators, Podcasters, Directors, Film Studios, even our Screenwriters are globally acclaimed and setting the bar for what entertainment looks, sounds, and feels like at the highest level.

Leo Dicaprio. An American.

Meryl Streep. An American.

The Kardashians. Americans!

Zendaya. An American.

Taylor. An American.

Tim Burton. An American.

Ridley Scott. English. But we should totally claim him.

Hugh Jackman. An American.

Timbaland, Selena Gomez, Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, Linkin Park, Metallica, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Slash, Tenacious D, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, the late Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop (doggy) Dogg, DJ Khaled, Madonna, Beyonce, Ye, TuneChi, Breezy, Doja Cat, Busta Rhymes…

All American.

The list of American contributors to high quality global music is literally endless.

Our politics will never make us great.

But our art always will.

So have a beautiful 4th of July. Have a beautiful goddamn year.

Because there’s nothing that says American Independence like the performing arts.

Dream no more.

-SCARF