Washington (AP) – Walking through America’s Ground Zero in the afternoon – Smithsonian’s American History Museum – Objects around every corner invite one question. Could it be more American than this?
It could be more American than that Starspangled banner In the glory of all ages? Or more Americans Dorothy’s ruby slippers From “The Wizard of Oz”?
And, as shown by Shackle, representing a photograph of slavery and Japanese Americans, it could be more American than considering the crime of the country Limited to detention camps In World War II? It lies in authoritarian countries like Russia, where history is rubbed down.
In countless ways, the museum follows its mission statement and explores the “complexity of our past.” President Donald Trump I want to tell a simpler story. He hopes this and other Smithsonian museums will reflect America’s pride, power and achievements without all the darkness, and threatens to hold back money if they don’t reach that program.
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On social media, Trump complained at the Smithsonian Museum, where he can visit freely from the government and get most of the money, “Everything that has been discussed is how scary our country is, how bad slavery is, what is not abused, nothing about success, nothing about brightness, nothing about future.”
In fact, history museums reflect rich success, whether it be in the battlefield, food pioneering kitchens and factories, musical stages, films, and other aspects of creativity and hard work. American Enterprise Exhibitionone has a wall filled with stories of successful Americans.
This wandering tour will show you the sailing equipment used by the terrifying pirate Blackbeard from the early 1700s assaults on the Atlantic coast. See the hat Abraham Lincoln wore in the Ford theatre on the night of his assassination, George Washington’s ceremonial uniform, Warren Harding’s stunning red silk pajamas in the early 1900s, the first car to travel around the country, and a $100,000 bill.
You can see the original light bulb of American genius Thomas Edison. A much earlier genius, founder Benjamin Franklin, has come to publicly condemn talented inventors and slavery, but is presented as the owner of a slave who has never freed himself.
These nuances and ambiguities may not be long for this world. Still on display at the Museum of History are artifacts and documents of American ingenuity, conquest, generosity, racism, grit, abuse, courage, playfulness, corruption, heroism, and cultural appropriation.
Like most museums, the focus is not in the future.
There are many provocations
Still, there are many things that will trigger a Republican president.
The “Great Debate” at the American Democracy exhibition features big words such as “privilege” and “slavery.” The museum presents Fulsam’s tribute to the immigration and narrative contributions to the racist landscapes that many have encountered.
The exhibit addresses “food justice,” the exploitation of Filipinos after the United States annexed its network of land and oppressive Native American boarding schools.
Hawaii’s last sovereign was before the annexation by the U.S. In the 1890s, Queen Lilio Kalani said, “Will the American Republic degenerate and become a colony?”
The ukuleles on display were made around 1890 by sugar workers who worked in the kingdom’s American plantations before a US-backed coup overthrew the monarchy. Museum visitors are said to have the new instruments held up by the monarch as a symbol of anti-colonial independence.
“The ukulele is a product of American imperialism and a powerful symbol of Native Hawaii’s resistance,” the accompanying text says.
In a statue like George Washington’s Greek, the text suggests his complexity, stopping except for the complete respect that a totalitarian leader has.
“Modern scholarships focus on the false man, not the marble hero,” he states that Washington’s image is “still used for inspiration, patriotism and commercial interests,” and that “he continues to retain his place as the country’s iconic “father” for many.”
The American spirit is also celebrated
On this visit, guardians behind a large window will be seen cleaning small brushes on ancient wooden pieces. Their patriotic work progresses at a snail-paced pace.
The team is recovering Gunboat Philadelphiapart of a small fleet engaged to the Royal Navy at the Battle of Valcourt, Lake Champlain in 1776, delayed British efforts to cut off the New England colonies and bought time for the Continental Army to prepare for a decisive victory in Saratoga.
The commander of the gunboat in Valcore Battle later became Benedict Arnold, America’s biggest traitor. The British were very badly damaged Philadelphia, sank an hour after the battle and lay in the water for 160 years. It is recovering for next year’s 250th anniversary of America’s celebration.
“Philadelphia is a symbol of how citizens of the newly formed country came together despite the overwhelming odds on their success,” said project director Jennifer Jones. “The fragile state of this boat is a symbol of our democracy. It requires the national attention and vigilance to maintain it for future generations.”
It’s not telling you what to think, it’s telling you what to think
The vulnerability of democracy has been taken into consideration by some of the museums about the limitations of the president’s power. That’s where the mention of two Trump bullets each was Deleted in July For updates and restored this month.
“On December 18, 2019, the House of Representatives fired each Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress,” one label now states. “On January 13th, 2021, Donald Trump became the first president to be each two times,” says another. “The charges were incitement of rebellion based on his challenge to the 2020 election results and his speech on January 6th.” His Senate acquittal has been formally pointed out.
It is to take on issues that have really set the country apart. History Museums do not provide an answer to their predicament. Instead, it asks the whole hall about the foundations of Americanism.
“How should Americans remember their revolution and the establishment of a nation?”
“What does patriotism look like?”
“How diverse should citizens be?”
“Do we need to share a common national story?”
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Associated Press Writer Lynn Berry contributed to this report.
