Review initiated for Smithsonian exhibits by the White House
The White House has initiated a comprehensive review of the Smithsonian museums and exhibitions with the goal of aligning them with American ideals and removing divisive narratives. This review is part of President Trump's directive to focus on America's "brightness" and success, rather than what he perceives as negative aspects of American history, such as slavery and the civil rights movement.
Scope and Timing
The review involves examining exhibitions, materials, and grant funding records across selected Smithsonian museums. It includes a 75-day timeline for submitting documentation and conducting interviews with curators.
Goals
The objectives are to ensure alignment with "American exceptionalism," remove divisive narratives, and restore confidence in cultural institutions.
Implementation Steps
Museums are required to submit various documents, including promotional literature, grant data, and educational materials. Interviews with curators and senior staff will help understand the museums' goals and curatorial vision. Within 120 days, museums are expected to implement content corrections to replace divisive language with unifying and historically accurate descriptions.
Response and Reaction
The Smithsonian Institution has not publicly commented on the review. The move has been criticized by historians, who view it as an attempt to politicize historical narratives. For instance, Sarah Weicksel, executive director of the American Historical Association, has called the review "appalling."
The review is currently ongoing, and it's important to note that the Smithsonian remains committed to "scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history." Despite receiving most of its budget from the US Congress, the Smithsonian is independent in decision-making.
The review was initiated due to US President Donald Trump's accusation that the Smithsonian institution spreads "anti-American ideology." Trump accused the Smithsonian of spreading a "divisive, race-centered ideology." The review is intended to restore confidence in shared cultural institutions.
Civil rights leaders have criticized the administration's focus on the National Museum of African American History and Culture as an attempt to minimize black Americans' contributions to the country. The review will aim to remove divisive or partisan narratives and is intended to ensure alignment with President Trump's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism.
The White House sent a letter to Smithsonian Institution secretary Lonnie Bunch III detailing the steps for the review, following Trump's "Restoring Truth and Sanity To American History" executive order issued in March. The review is being conducted ahead of the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.
During this ongoing review, the Smithsonian Institution is required to align its museums and exhibitions with "American exceptionalism" and remove divisive narratives, as outlined in a letter from the White House following President Trump's "Restoring Truth and Sanity To American History" executive order. The review process involves examining exhibitions, materials, and grant funding records, conducting interviews with curators, and implementing content corrections within 120 days to replace divisive language. This review is part of the broader political landscape of policy-and-legislation, given its focus on US politics and general-news.
