History isn’t meant to comfort; it’s meant to inform. Yet, the current administration’s recent actions suggest a desire to sanitize America’s past, particularly concerning Black history.
On March 27, 2025, the President signed Executive Order 14253, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” This order mandates the removal of what it deems “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology” from the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibits. Specifically, it targets the National Museum of African American History and Culture, accusing it of promoting a “divisive, race-centered ideology.”
The implications are profound. Artifacts and exhibits that shed light on the African American experience are being removed. For instance, items loaned by civil rights activists are being returned, and visitors have noticed the absence of significant displays.
This isn’t just about museum exhibits; it’s about erasing the narratives that don’t align with a sanitized version of history. By attempting to suppress these stories, the administration is denying the complexities and truths of America’s past.
However, resistance is growing. Black churches nationwide are rallying in support of the museum, emphasizing the importance of preserving and acknowledging African American history.
History should encompass all facets…the triumphs and the tribulations. Sanitizing it does a disservice to the nation’s collective memory and hinders progress.
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