*A wave of support is building among Black faith leaders and civil rights advocates for the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) after President Donald Trump issued a controversial executive order that targets the Smithsonian Institution for allegedly promoting a “divisive, race-centered ideology.”
As The AP reports, the March 27 directive tasks Vice President J.D. Vance with reviewing Smithsonian exhibits to eliminate content that supposedly “degrades shared American values” or “divides Americans based on race.” It specifically singles out the African American museum, sparking fears of historical whitewashing and erasure of Black narratives.
Historians and lawmakers quickly condemned the order. “This flagrant attempt to erase Black history is unacceptable and must be stopped,” read a letter from Reps. Joseph Morelle, Terri Sewell, and Norma Torres. “The attempt to paper over elements of American history is both cowardly and unpatriotic.”
Historian Clarissa Myrick-Harris of Morehouse College warned of a disturbing trend. “It seems like we’re headed in the direction where there’s even an attempt to deny that the institution of slavery even existed,” she said.
The executive order follows the closure of the Smithsonian’s diversity office and coincides with concerns about artifacts being quietly returned or removed. One such item was a Bible used in civil rights demonstrations, loaned by Rev. Amos Brown, which the Smithsonian recently announced would be returned, citing standard loan expiration. The museum has denied removing key artifacts like the Greensboro lunch counter.
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In response, Rev. Robert Turner of Baltimore’s Empowerment Temple AME Church walked 43 miles to Washington, D.C., laying a wreath at the museum in solidarity, NBC News reports.
“I laid my wreath down there to show solidarity with the museum and the history that they present every day,” Turner said, adding his church has committed to supporting the museum through membership.
Rev. Jacqui Lewis of Middle Church in New York echoed the sentiment, announcing a $1,000 Easter donation. Bishop Timothy Clarke in Ohio plans to encourage his congregation to join, calling his grandson’s visit to the museum “the highlight” of a recent field trip.
As critics denounce the order as an attempt to sanitize history, a growing number of Black churches are stepping up to preserve and honor it.
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