National Park Service orders elimination of image depicting whip-lashed back of a captured man, formerly enslaved.
The National Park Service (NPS) has ordered the removal of a powerful and historically significant photo, 'The Scourged Back', from an exhibit panel at Fort Pulaski National Monument. The image, depicting a formerly enslaved Black man with scars from whippings, is a poignant reminder of the cruelty of slavery and has been used for over a century by abolitionists to galvanize support for emancipation. The photo, taken during the Civil War, has been a subject of controversy since it was first reported by The Washington Post and The New York Times. The order to remove the photo was reportedly relayed to park staff, who were not authorized to speak about internal agency decisions. According to reports, the Acting Director of the NPS who ordered the removal is Jessica Bowron, but the reasons behind her directive remain unclear. The removal of the photo is part of an agency-wide review of how parks depict U.S. history, which was mandated earlier this year by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. This review comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March accusing museums and federal institutions of fostering national shame by focusing on negative aspects of the country's history. Several other parks in the country have received similar directions as part of this review. The photo in question, currently displayed at Fort Pulaski National Monument, has been a powerful symbol of the struggle for freedom and the enduring legacy of slavery in America. Its removal raises questions about the role of history in shaping our understanding of the past and its impact on our present. The photo, with its haunting and vivid depiction of the brutality of slavery, serves as a stark reminder of the injustices that have shaped our nation's history. Its removal from public view is a loss for all who seek to understand and learn from our past.
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