Smithsonian director's social justice remarks contradict testimony

Key Points:

• National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig described "history as a practice" as a "prime tool of social justice" during a February 2025 presentation, contrasting with her July congressional testimony defending the Smithsonian's objectivity and nonpartisanship.
• In her UCLA talk, Hartig emphasized the museum's equity-based, justice-forward, and community-driven approach, highlighting efforts to document movements like Black Lives Matter and promote language justice through multilingual exhibitions.
• Hartig acknowledged America's violent racial history and advocated for restorative justice through historical redress, while praising activist groups such as Tsuru for Solidarity, which opposes detention sites and supports immigrant communities.
• The museum aims to be more inclusive and representative of America's diverse demographics, moving away from its Cold War-era mission toward accessibility, relevance, and sustainability in public history.
• Hartig urged students to speak out against attacks on presenting "complicated truths," framing history as essential to understanding humanity, power, and rights, amidst ongoing political controversy over the Smithsonian's portrayal of American history.