Is the Smithsonian Too Woke?

  

He’s renamed a body of water and a mountain. He put himself at the top of the Kennedy Center. Now, President Donald Trump wants to put his stamp on the Smithsonian Institution and make its museums less “woke.”

"The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been," Trump said in a recent social media post.

The Smithsonian oversees 21 museums and libraries, the National Zoo as well as research and education centers around the country.

NPR's Steve Inskeep visits the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History ahead of what the Trump administration says will be a systematic review of "divisive or partisan narratives."

1) What institution did President Trump describe as "out of control" and why?Who is Peniel Joseph, and what is his background?

2) How does Joseph argue that the fight over history in museums is part of a struggle that goes back generations?

3) What argument are people making to defend slavery, according to host Amna Nawaz?

Why does Joseph compare this current moment to the McCarthy era?

4) How do you think the exhibits in the Smithsonian should be chosen and displayed? Who should have a say?

5) Do you think changing museum displays could or would have an impact?  How?  Why?