Stretting museums' content could potentially lessen American uniqueness, cautions experts

Stretting museums' content could potentially lessen American uniqueness, cautions experts

In August, President Donald Trump took to the internet to instruct his attorneys to scrutinise the non-profit organisation responsible for managing the nation's flagship, federally funded public museums - the Smithsonian. This move comes amidst an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to redefine the portrayal of American history in these institutions.

The Smithsonian museums have been under pressure to emphasise national successes and remove partisan or controversial narratives, as part of a broader initiative to ensure that museum programs align with "traditional American values" and avoid content perceived as divisive or contrary to federal policies.

This push for change follows the Smithsonian's own review to affirm its "nonpartisan stature". The White House's review aims to remove divisive or partisan narratives and restore confidence in cultural institutions.

However, the Smithsonian is facing pressure to tone down its focus on difficult subjects like slavery. The White House's efforts to recast the focus of the Smithsonian reflect Trump's opposition to what he described as a "revisionist movement".

The director of the Legacy Sites, Michael Stevenson, has stated that they will not retreat from talking honestly about history and presenting it honestly. Similarly, the director of Two Mississippi Museums expressed that their mission is to tell the unvarnished truth about history, and they will not retreat from this mission.

A survey conducted by Wilkening Consulting reveals that even conservative museum-goers favour inclusive programming. American museum-goers, in general, want a variety of perspectives and a complete picture of their shared past without evident omissions or sugarcoating.

The American Alliance of Museums, which represents 35,000 museums and professionals, has stated that museums rely on independent scholarship, research, and uphold high professional standards. Historians and museum professionals ensure that the things they present in museums are backed up by evidence.

In a separate development, Trump has announced plans for a "National Garden of American Heroes", which would honour key figures from various fields, including Revolutionary hero Crispus Attucks, flight trailblazer Amelia Earhart, and NBA legend Michael Jordan.

Minimising or cutting out "bad" history risks losing compelling pieces of a collective identity and key knowledge that drives civic advancement. Americans dislike omissions in museum curation and get angry when parts of history are erased or sugarcoated.

The majority of museum-goers support and want museums to share inclusive programming that tells multiple perspectives and gives a full picture of the country's history. Respondents who are less open to newly uncovered historical perspectives have narrower parameters for what they consider "credible facts," while those who lean toward more inclusive museum programming have broader parameters.

In conclusion, the review of the Smithsonian museums by the Trump administration has sparked debate and concern among museum professionals, historians, and the public. The importance of presenting a balanced and accurate portrayal of American history in these institutions is a topic of ongoing discussion and significance.

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