American Historical Association

Trump Interference With Smithsonian Museums An Attack On Historical Truth!

Ronald 36 Comments

This author, scholar, and blogger has been communicating to students and adults for more than a half century “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” about the American historical experience, along with discussion of world events and foreign policy.

To have Donald Trump and his followers set out to declare war on the truth and the facts of the American past is a challenge that cannot be allowed to be lost!

For Trump to interfere with exhibits at the various Smithsonian Institution Museums is totally beyond the pale, and must be vehemently opposed with every fiber of the being of scholars and authors!

The truth of Civil Rights Museums cannot be allowed to disappear!

The challenge to teachers and professors is to refuse to teach and spread lies and mistruths.

That is very difficult for teachers and librarians who depend on state and local governments for their livelihoods.

But the reality of the American past must not be compromised, and lawsuits and action by decent people, parents and those who care about proper education, must lead to resistance.

The American Historical Association, the Organization of American Historians, the American Political Science Association, and reputable news media and scholars in the nation and around the world must unite to guarantee that “the truth shall set us free!”

The Danger To Academic Freedom At Universities, The Media And All Free Thinkers!

Ronald Leave a comment

It is interesting that a person, with no special qualifications other than a big mouth and ability to be outrageous in his statements on radio or cable, can be totally protected in his free speech rights, but if a college professor or intellectual voices his educated judgment, the move is on to discredit him, and destroy him if possible, as a radical or an extremist!

This has happened to Professor William Cronon, the President Elect of the American Historical Association, of which the author is a proud member, for his criticisms of the Wisconsin state government for what it has done and is doing to the rights of state employees regarding collective bargaining, an idea that came to Wisconsin earlier than anywhere else!

Paul Krugman of the New York Times brings attention to this issue in the Sunday edition of his column, and it is, indeed, very troubling.

The same tactic has been used against those scientists who promote climate change legislation, and the aim of the right wing in the Republican Party and in the news media is clear: Do everything to “shut up” the college professors and intellectuals who dare to challenge the right wing agenda of destroying academic freedom and free speech for those who disagree with their agenda!

The Rush Limbaughs, Glenn Becks, Sean Hannitys, Bill O’Reillys, etc of talk radio and television will continue to spew forth their propaganda, but those who oppose their lies and deceptions must not allow themselves to be intimidated from telling the truth, and promoting an open minded look at history, science, public affairs, and every other area of knowledge, as it is precisely these professors and intellectuals who keep the hope alive of a truly educated population who understands history, science, public affairs, rather than the misconceptions and fabrications of the far right, which will stop at nothing to promote their propaganda, and have taken control of the Republican Party, lock, stock and barrel, to the detriment of the American people!