This Saturday is the Fourth of July — and it’s a big one. Two hundred and fifty years since the Declaration of Independence.

In that time, this country has done extraordinary things. It has built one of the most diverse democracies on Earth, a haven where people can speak freely and chase a better life. And it’s done real harm: it took land by force, enslaved millions, broke treaties and lives.

So here’s the hard question this Fourth of July: What does it mean to love your country when you’re not sure it loves you back?

A new Gallup poll finds American pride at its lowest in 25 years. Only a third of Americans say they’re “extremely proud” to be American. And the partisan split is stark: 70% of Republicans, versus 14% of Democrats.

Michael Taylor is the mayor of Sterling Heights. He spoke with The Metro‘s Robyn about why it’s more important now than ever to unite.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand. Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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This weekend is filled with events for film enthusiasts, and The Senate Theater is offering a way to start the summer off. 

The theater is launching its “Hot, Sweaty and Weird” summer film series of B-movies to keep audiences engaged this summer.

The series is launching with a Pride-themed event on Saturday, June 27 at 5 p.m. The screening will also feature the documentary “The Cockettes” and John Waters’ “Multiple Maniacs.” 

Larry Bohannan (Sister Gichi Gichi Yaya, or Larry the “T-Shirt” guy) and Elena Theresa (Sister Este Lauder, Harder, Faster) joined the show to discuss the series and the history of Motor City Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a leading order of Queer nuns. 

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and stream on-demand.

Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro