Write a Letter to the Editor to affirm that Black History is American History
The media and politicians take notice when people take the time to speak up about important community issues like attacks on Black History and Memory.
That’s why we need people like you to submit letters to the editors of your local newspapers to help us get the word out that we must defend Black History in our libraries, museums, and all sites of our national memory. We made it easy with this tool!
Here are some prompts to help!
On March 27th, the Executive Order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” was signed, targeting the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for promoting an alleged “improper ideology.” This order threatens not only the ability of institutions to engage with the honest and truthful telling of Black history, but also our shared ability as a nation to understand Black history as a fundamental component of American history.
Why is it important for all of us to affirm that Black History is American History and must be included in our museums, libraries and classrooms?
What worries you most about the wave of executive orders and other actions that threaten to erase accurate Black History from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and other museums, libraries, and sites of national memory like Arlington National Cemetery?
Why does the funding and integrity of the Smithsonian museums and other museums and libraries across the country matter to you?
Specifically, what would it mean to you if the National Museum of African American History and Culture or your local Black History museum was defunded, closed, or forced to whitewash its exhibits?
How has having access to Black History in your school, local library, and/or museum helped you learn about yourself, your community, and our country?
How does it make you feel to see Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Tuskegee Airmen, Maya Angelou and other Black Americans are being erased from government websites, classroom walls, museums, libraries and more?
What message does it send to our children if accurate Black History is systematically erased and replaced with a false, whitewashed version of American History?
What do you want the media, leaders and politicians to know about why saying #HandsOffOurHistory is vital to the fight for our democracy?