The Smithsonian Museum ‘Woke’ Up 

There are over 35,000 museums in America. The people expect these institutions to present exhibits in a manner free of bias and any restrictions, other than those that may defy conventional standards. There may be occasion when a visitor to a museum might disagree or find fault with something on display, but these personal experiences are to be expected. History, art, science, technology, zoology - there are museums to satisfy the appetite of the curious, and those who seek knowledge and admire beauty. 

What happens, however, when a renowned institution is found to have revised and manipulated facts to the extent that it favors ideological thought and distorts history?

The Smithsonian Institution was founded on August 10, 1846. Its holdings are vast, and comprise 157 million items, and more than 200 institutions, museums, and libraries in 47 states. Its facilities are located mainly in Washington, D.C., with other locations in New York, Virginia, Maryland, Puerto Rico, and Panama. The Smithsonian's annual budget is around $1.25 billion, with two-thirds coming from annual federal appropriations.

There was a time when the Smithsonian Institution was a temple of greatness that told stories of invention, innovation, discovery, ingenuity, and man's search for truth. Over the years, however, the direction of the Smithsonian has taken a turn down a different path. This adjustment, for want of a better term, was recently criticized by President Trump, who is asking for an investigation. It appears the Smithsonian has changed its fundamental view of history, and how it describes and reports on social, cultural, and political events.

The Smithsonian has taken a left turn in its ideological thinking, and has embraced the ‘woke’ movement. Many of its exhibits are influenced by oppression, inhumanity, and slavery, and have negative sentiments toward America’s past and the role white men played. Instead of America’s achievements and triumphs, many exhibits dwell on her transgressions.

In the National Museum of American History, visitors are greeted with pride flags. Benjamin Franklin’s inventive genius and experiments with a kite and the theory of electricity are tainted, because he owned slaves. And it gets worse, and devolves into the absurd. Mickey Mouse is depicted as a study in blackface; the Lone Ranger is portrayed as a metaphor for “American imperialism.” 

The Museum depicts the Founding Fathers as slave owners, which in some cases would be historically accurate. However, it also has an interactive display with pictures of the Founders that allows the visitor to press a button below each picture to determine who owned slaves. Recognized as the father of America, and its first president, George Washington is referred to as a “Town Destroyer.”

The Museum portrait gallery is obsessed with slavery. In the case of Thomas Jefferson, his description reads, “Although Jefferson once called slavery an abominable crime, he consistently enslaved African-Americans, including his late wife Martha’s half sister Sally Hemings, with whom he had several children.” What about the Declaration of Independence?

The Smithsonian American Art Museum has an exhibit that describes sculpture as having been a “powerful tool in promoting scientific racism.” In another titled “The shape of power,” the visitor is exposed to “race is a social construct used to establish systems of power and privilege.” 

There can be little doubt, the Smithsonian Museum has veered tragically Left, and seeks to revise American history. It has been inculcated with The 1619 Project, a book that ravages history with the false premise that America’s foundation is based on racism. This book was criticized and denounced by recognized historians and college professors as distorted and factually inaccurate.