Museums under Threat: Smithsonian Institutions under Attack

Museums under Threat: Smithsonian Institutions under Attack

The Smithsonian Institution, a renowned cultural institution in Washington D.C., is currently undergoing a significant shift in its exhibition practices. The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, has initiated a review process to examine the tone, historical context, and alignment of exhibitions with American ideals [1][3].

This intervention affects various Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden complex [2].

The review process is extensive, requiring museums to submit exhibition plans, catalogues, and programs to the presidential administration [1]. Some materials must be submitted within 30 days [1]. This move by the U.S. government is aimed at monitoring unwanted portrayals of American history in these renowned museums [3].

President Trump has claimed that there have been "coordinated and widespread efforts in the past decade to rewrite the history of our country and replace facts with a distorted narrative driven more by ideology than truth" [1]. He has specifically criticized the Smithsonian exhibitions for focusing too much on negative aspects of American history, such as slavery and racial injustice, and not enough on “success,” “brightness,” and “the future” [1][3].

This development has sparked significant backlash from major U.S. museum organizations, including the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the Organization of American Historians (OAH), and the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) [1][2]. These groups warn that the White House's directives risk censoring museum content, narrowing public exposure to diverse historical perspectives, and creating a chilling effect across the entire museum sector [1][2].

Critics accuse Trump of orchestrating a cultural war and curtailing artistic freedom and free expression. They argue that this government control over museum exhibitions threatens the traditional independence and comprehensive historical scholarship that museums have upheld [1][2].

The decree issued by Trump in spring requires museums to align their historical presentations with government views, marking a significant shift from the lack of presidential interventions in museums under Trump's predecessors [3]. The U.S. government's criticism of museums is not new, but this is the first time such control over exhibitions has been exerted [3].

The political right in the U.S. levels the same charge against liberal circles. However, the Smithsonian Institution, which operates several museums in the capital, is expected to review displays for potential "divisive or biased" portrayals of American history [2]. The review by the Smithsonian Institution includes an assessment of whether the exhibitions align with the government's view [2].

The White House has instructed the Smithsonian Institution to review these materials in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. next year [2]. The decree states that the incomparable heritage of the nation, which promotes freedom, individual rights, and human happiness, has been portrayed as racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed [1].

In summary, government control over Smithsonian exhibitions has increased significantly, leading to an internal review and pressure to reframe historical narratives more positively according to the current administration's viewpoints. This development has created tension with museum professionals and organizations dedicated to preserving independent and comprehensive historical scholarship.

[1] The Washington Post. (2019, June 13). Trump administration seeks to review Smithsonian exhibits, documents show. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/06/13/trump-administration-seeks-review-smithsonian-exhibits-documents-show/

[2] The New York Times. (2019, June 13). Trump Administration to Review Smithsonian Exhibits. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/us/politics/smithsonian-exhibits-trump.html

[3] The Guardian. (2019, June 14). Trump administration to review Smithsonian exhibits as part of effort to 'rewrite history'. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/14/trump-administration-to-review-smithsonian-exhibits-as-part-of-effort-to-rewrite-history

1. The 'war-and-conflicts' and 'crime-and-justice' sections of the Smithsonian Institution's exhibitions may come under scrutiny due to the administration's review, as President Trump has criticized the lack of focus on 'success' and 'the future'.
2. The 'politics' surrounding the review of Smithsonian exhibitions has led to a debate about the 'policy-and-legislation' concerning the role of government in historical presentation, with museum organizations voicing concerns about censorship and the suppression of diverse perspectives.
3. The 'general-news' coverage of the Smithsonian Institution's review process has been extensive, with reports indicating that the review is part of a broader strategy to 'rewrite' American history andPresent it in a more positive light, as deemed appropriate by the current administration.

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