President Donald Trump is doing his best to erase elements of the country’s horrific and often embarrassing past when it comes down to slavery. His latest attacks to Black history have come in an apparent war against the Smithsonian, who the president claims focuses too much on slavery. Now, he’s on a mission to gut the museum.
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“The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL,” Trump said on Truth Social. “Everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been… We are not going to allow this to happen.” And don’t be mistaken, Trump’s already moved to wipe federal websites of historic figures like Jackie Robinson and the Tuskegee Airmen.
In light of this new attack on the Smithsonian, here are five historic artifacts that are imperative to Black American history.
Harriet Tubman’s Shawl
As one of the most famous “conductors” of American slavery, Harriet Tubman remains a key figure in history. After slavery was abolished, Tubman joined others like Frederick Douglass as true heroes of the Civil War. In 1897, England’s Queen Victoria gifted her a shawl,which can be viewed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
James Baldwin’s Writings
In celebration of the 100th birthday of American writer James Baldwin, the National Portrait Gallery put together an exhibit dedicated to the “Giovanni’s Room” author.
“This exhibition seeks to highlight Baldwin’s significance through a collective portrait that not only offers a portrait of him, but also honors those who helped him become the man known for holding a mirror up to America and her promise,” National Portrait Gallery’s Director of Curatorial Affairs Rhea L. Combs told Fox 5 News.
Nat Turner’s Bible
Nat Turner is one of the most polarizing Black Americans of all time. The enslaved carpenter and preacher led a four-day rebellion in Virginia 1831. Banded together with slaves and activists, the group’s mission was to kill as many white slave masters as they could. In total, 55 were recorded dead.
Although he was young when he was executed for his crimes, Turner kept a Bible on him, which can now be found in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. “It has lost pages at the beginning and end of the text, losing the entirety of Genesis and parts of Leviticus and Revelation,” according to the website.
Mae Jemison’s NASA Name Tag
Mae Carol Jemison made history as the first Black woman to ever successfully travel to space in 1992. Although her contributions to NASA as an engineer and physician earned her a spot in history books, how many people really know Jemison’s story?
That’s why her NASA name tag at the National Air and Space Museum is more than a simple gesture. Every year, hundreds of thousands flocked to arguably one of the Smithsonian’s best museums, and kids get to learn about the accomplishments of a Black female astronaut who is still alive today!
Greensboro Lunch Counter Stool
The lunch sit-ins of the Civil Rights Movement were some of the most dangerous and racist demonstrations against Black American activists. These protesters were kicked, spit on and bludgeoned as they sat in protest to segregation, especially in the South.
Now, people can see the exact same stools that Civil Rights activists were dragged from at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The two chairs on display were donated by the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, Greensboro, N.C.
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