What Ails America

Our northern neighbor is celebrating its 150th birthday this weekend, yet many Canadians don’t care. Why Canada’s lack of patriotism might be a good thing. Also, how families of black people killed by police often have to grieve under the media spotlight. And the tale of a composer's search for the sound of America.  1. Canadian writer Stephen Marche @StephenMarche on the differences between Canadian and American views on diversity and culture. 2. Writer Mychal Denzel Smith @mychalsmith on the "obligation for black families to mourn in public." 3. WNYC's Sara Fishko on composer Aaron Copland's quest to capture American identity in music.  Support On the Media by becoming a member today at OntheMedia.org/donate.     On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing [email protected]. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.