In a world where historical narratives are shaped with an agenda, it’s no surprise that President Trump’s initiative to review the Smithsonian’s museum exhibits is making waves. Left-leaning media outlets appear to be up in arms, fearing the reshaping of history – or should we say the correction of some dreadfully skewed narratives that occupy too many hallowed exhibition halls. The aim is simple: celebrate American exceptionalism and purge the divisive rhetoric that plagues our cultural institutions. And frankly, it’s about time.
One doesn’t have to be a genius to see that American history often gets twisted into a guilt-ridden sob story, especially in how we confront the legacy of slavery. Never mind that slavery has been a global scourge for centuries, with many nations engaging in this brutal practice for hundreds of years longer than America. Yet, history books and museum exhibits sometimes prefer to hyper-focus on America’s involvement with the institution, conveniently sidestepping the broader context.
It’s fascinating how some pundits and academics maintain a selective amnesia when it comes to slavery’s extensive history outside the United States. And let’s be honest, when someone does dare to point this out, the reaction is as if they’re speaking an alien language. The looks of befuddlement from supposedly educated individuals are almost comedic. But therein lies the rub; a failure in the education system has left many unable or unwilling to grasp the complexities of historical narratives.
Further adding to this oversight is an almost willful ignorance of the facts. In reality, a significant portion of white American families, especially in the South, owned slaves, a detail often swept under the rug to perpetuate a narrative of overwhelming racial guilt. Meanwhile, this moment of historic clarity is dashed away by those screaming accusations of “white supremacy” as the reigning boogeyman of every societal ailment. It’s become the default setting for any discussion of race in America today.
Moreover, the fact that other cultures and continents were late to abolish slavery, with some officially doing so only in recent decades, adds another layer to this complex tale. This fact should make even the most casual observer question the unique demonization of American history in global practice. Yet narratives endure, and historical nuances are glossed over in the rush to assign blame to contemporary Americans for ancestral sins.
The reality is that Americans, particularly of the conservative persuasion, refuse to settle for the diluted Kool-Aid of historical revisionism. They understand the importance of recognizing both the imperfections and the unparalleled achievements in American history. The restoration of institutions that project a narrative we’re proud to share is a cause for celebration, not consternation. As President Trump continues to spark this much-needed conversation and review, the hope is not one for a whitewashed history but for an honest one that recognizes the whole picture.