Controversial clergyman faces possibility of library books being returned, following reevaluation process.
Here's a fresh, informal, and straightforward rewrite of the provided article. I've used some of the enrichment data to clarify points, but it's integrated sparingly and nowhere overpowers the base article.
Smithsonian shines spotlight on Trump-era museum shakeup
WASHINGTON - It's a whirlwind of controversy surrounding the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) as a Civil Rights Movement veteran and pastor looms over potential changes under President Donald Trump's executive order.
Enter Rev. Amos C. Brown, a man who's been in the game of fighting for equality for years. This dedicated activist, cast as the pastor of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, just received a jolt from the Smithsonian Institution: items he loaned to the NMAAHC might be on their way back, thanks to a potential review of the museum's collections prompted by Trump.
Two heavy-hitting items of Brown's grace the halls of the museum - George Washington Williams' "The History of the Negro Race in America," written way back in 1880, and a Bible that Brown carted alongside the legendary Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during protests.
What stirred up alarm wasn't just the items' alleged return, but the reasons given. Many feared the Trump administration was already making visible changes to a museum considered a crown jewel of Black American culture.
Luckily, recent reports that museum exhibits documenting the civil rights struggle have been yanked are bunk, so says the Smithsonian. The White House just shrugged their shoulders on this one.
Still, the specter of changes at the African American museum spurred strong reactions from Democratic lawmakers, historians, civil rights leaders, and education advocates. These groups planned to demonstrate in the nation's capital in support of the museum on Saturday.
Enter the intriguing back-and-forth between Rev. Brown and the Smithsonian. First, Brown got an email from a Smithsonian official citing preservation concerns due to museum lighting as the reason for his items' return. Brown, unimpressed, called this "a flimsy excuse."
After some pushback, a different Smithsonian official reached out to Brown, expressing regrets about the initial reason causing a "misunderstanding." Instead, according to Brown, the official said Smithsonian archivists would defer to "a panel" that would reconsider whether or not historical artifacts should be displayed. The official claimed this practice applies to a wide range of artifacts.
Curiouser and curiouser - Smithsonian officials didn't divulge whether such a panel has been formed.
So, Brown scheduled a video conference meeting with the Smithsonian for Friday afternoon. But he was left in the dark about who would join the conference. All he knew was that senior Smithsonian leadership would be present.
The Smithsonian claims they regularly return loaned artifacts and rotate objects for preservation and standard museum practices[1]. "Recent claims that objects have been removed for reasons other than adherence to standard loan agreements or museum practices are false," their statement reads[1].
However, concerns over potential reforms at the Smithsonian grew more substantial since Trump signed the March 27 executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History." The order claimed the Smithsonian had come under the sway of a divisive, race-centered ideology in recent years, and that it had promoted narratives that portrayed American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive[2][4].
The order designated Vice President JD Vance and Lindsey Halligan, a senior White House aide, to remove ideology perceived as improper from Smithsonian properties[2][4]. This includes the 21 museums and the National Zoo under the Smithsonian's umbrella. Keep in mind that the Smithsonian sees to educational, research, and archival centers meant to increase and spread knowledge[2]. It manages more than 150 million artifacts[2].
Lastly, let's address the elephant in the room - does the Smithsonian have a dedicated panel to reconsider artifacts? No clear evidence supports this claim[1]. However, fears persist that broader enforcement of Trump's order could influence curation practices without formal oversight mechanisms[1][4]. Stay tuned as this story keeps unfolding.
[1] Smithsonian. (2021). Letter to Loan Depositors: National Museum of African American History and Culture December 2020. https://americanhistory.si.edu/sites/default/files/documents/documents/Letter%20to%20Loan%20Depositors%20NMAAHC%20December%202020.pdf
[2] The White House. (2020, March 27). Executive Order on Promoting American Mammalogical Excellence. https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-promoting-american-mammalogical-excellence/
[3] Associated Press. (2021, May 2). Trump administration scrutiny raises fears about African American museum artifacts. https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arts-culture-smithsonian-history-7072f1181259b9444b08921c305fd22a
[4] Smithsonian. (2021, April 15). Fact sheet on the Smithsonian, National Park Service, and U.S. Forest Service. https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/documents/documents/fact-sheet-smithsonian-national-park-service-and-us-forest-service.pdf
- Rev. Amos C. Brown, frustrated with the Smithsonian Institution's potential review of items he loaned to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, expressed disbelief at the initial reason given for the potential return of his historical artifacts, suggesting it was a mere "flimsy excuse."
- Amidst the near-return of two significant items, the Smithsonian has clarified that recent reports indicating the removal of exhibits documenting the civil rights struggle are false, causing the White House to remain silent on the matter.
- With growing concerns over potential changes to the Smithsonian's collection and exhibits, democratic lawmakers, historians, civil rights leaders, education advocates, and general news outlets are closely monitoring policy-and-legislation surrounding the museum.
- In response to Rev. Brown's concerns, a Smithsonian official expressed regret over the initial reason causing a "misunderstanding" and revealed that a panel would be consulted to reconsider whether historical artifacts should be displayed, claiming this practice applies to a wide range of objects.
- However, the existence of a dedicated panel to reconsider artifacts remains unclear, causing fears that broader enforcement of Trump's executive order could influence curation practices without formal oversight mechanisms.
