In Video: African American history museum returns artifacts to owners
A Threat to Our Shared History: The Removal of African-American Artifacts
It is imperative that people of good will, conscience, and common sense stand up against the latest executive order signed by President Trump, which seeks to purge our culture of what he calls "improper ideology." The recent actions taken by the African-American History Museum (NMAAHC) are a stark reminder that such a dangerous precedent is already being put into effect. The removal of historically significant artifacts from the museum’s collection is a clear attempt to erase the very fabric of African-American culture and identity.
Reverend Amos Brown’s Personal Loss
Civil rights activist and pastor Reverend Amos Brown is among those who have been affected by this unsettling trend. He recently received a notification from the NMAAHC that two precious artifacts he had loaned to the museum would be returned to him. These include a historic book, "The First History of the Negro Race," written by Reverend George Washington Williams in 1880, and a Bible that Brown carried with him during civil rights demonstrations with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesse Jackson. Brown lent these artifacts to the Smithsonian in 2016, but this time, he was not given the option to donate them permanently or renew the loan. The lack of transparency and communication is shocking, and it raises concerns about the museum’s true intentions.
A Pattern of Erasure
Brown’s experience is not an isolated incident. Visitors to the museum have noticed a disturbing pattern of removals and alterations to exhibits. The famous Nat Turner’s Bible, a small but historically significant artifact, has mysteriously gone missing. Additionally, the Greensboro massacre table, a crucial part of American history, has been removed, leaving only a digital display in its place. It is essential to ask: what is driving these changes, and what do they say about the Smithsonian’s commitment to preserving our collective history?
A Call to Action
It is crucial that the board of the Smithsonian Institution takes immediate action to stop this dangerous trend. The removal of African-American artifacts and the whitewashing of our history are not just a blow to the African-American community but to the very fabric of American identity. Our history is a shared experience, and it is imperative that we preserve and celebrate it in all its complexity.
A Message to the Trump Administration
To the Trump administration, we say: respect the dignity and importance of African-American history. Our experiences, struggles, and triumphs are an integral part of the American narrative. Erasure and censorship will not undo the fact that African-Americans have contributed significantly to the shaping of this nation. We demand a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of our shared history.
It is time for people of good will to stand up and say, "Enough is enough." We must rise up against the forces that seek to erase our history and demand a more just and compassionate society.
