Artifacts in US museums explain the outsized role of racism in the nation's history
'What we do here is help explain our story, as a community, as a culture, as a society to those who may not have lived through it, who may not remember it or who may have a different memory than what we collectively understand," said Amber Mitchell, curator of Black history at the Henry Ford.
Public access to these items at federal sites may be restricted or prohibited under Trump administration rules seeking to bar what the president calls 'divisive" ideology that acknowledges the outsized role racism has played in American history and culture.
The artifacts include:
— The Clark Doll, a plastic, dark-skinned toy doll used by psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark during the 1940s while studying the impact of segregation on Black children. The doll is on permanent display in the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas.
— Shards of stained glass from windows at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, are on display at The National Museum of African American History and Culture, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. White supremacists bombed the church in 1963, killing four Black girls attending Sunday school.
— Parts of a car owned by NAACP activist Vernon Dahmer are on long-term loan to The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Mississippi. The Ku Klux Klan firebombed and shot at Dahmer's home in 1966. Dahmer, who had recruited Blacks to vote, rescued his family and they escaped in the car, but he died the next day from smoke inhalation.
— Fountain pens used by President Lyndon B. Johnson to sign the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act are on display at The National Museum of African American History and Culture.
— Executive Orders 9980 and 9981 that desegregated the U.S. military and the federal government are stored in the National Archives, but copies are on display at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. Truman issued the orders in 1948 following a beating that left Army Sgt. Isaac Woodard blind. Woodard was heading home to South Carolina in 1946 after serving in WWII when a white police chief pulled him from a Greyhound bus and beat him. Woodward was still wearing his uniform when he was assaulted. An all-white jury acquitted the chief.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
23 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Independent candidate for Michigan governor is betting on partisan fatigue in the midterms
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan spent his political career as a Democrat, leading Michigan's largest Democratic stronghold. But now, he's become a target of his former party, whose leaders are furious about his decision to run for Michigan governor next year as an independent. Detroit is a power base for Democrats in the battleground state, and some fear Duggan will draw support from their nominee and potentially help the Republican candidate. Democrats have launched attacks against Duggan, accusing him of being bankrolled by allies of President Donald Trump. But Duggan — who is soon leaving the office he has held since 2014 — says voters of all leanings are tired of partisan fighting. 'It doesn't actually matter where I go in the state,' Duggan said. 'People are angry that their problems are not getting solved because the two parties are so consumed with fighting with each other.' Duggan had been a major Democratic figure in Michigan with a close working relationship with former President Joe Biden. While there is precedent for independent governors in the U.S., none are currently in office and there has never been one in Michigan. Why run as an independent? He announced his bid a month after Democrats suffered heavy losses in the 2024 election. But, midterm elections tend to favor the party not in power. Democrats have now seized on cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits as winning issues in races across the country. Duggan doesn't see it that way. 'I mean, it would have been easier to win as a Democrat, but then I'd have just been part of the partisan problem,' Duggan said. As an example, Duggan pointed to Michigan's split Legislature, with Republicans in control of the state House and Democrats controlling the state Senate. Only six proposals have become law this year, and the state operating budget is still hung up. Duggan's campaign has focused on his independency from both parties and education in the state. Duggan derided Michigan House Democrats who voted against a measure to restrict cellphone usage in schools. 'I don't really intend to get involved in the national Republican versus Democratic talking points,' he said. Tariffs in Detroit, and abroad Several companies in Michigan's auto industry, centered in Detroit, have reported major losses and expressed worry about tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Auto parts often move across the border between the U.S. and Canada multiple times during manufacturing. Duggan said tariffs on China and Mexico could push manufacturing to Michigan. However, tariffs on Canada are 'devastating,' he said. 'When you put a tariff on Canada, you put a tariff on Michigan,' he said. He also critiqued the ever-changing nature of Trump's tariff policies, saying they prevent companies from making educated, long-term investments. President Trump Duggan praised current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her work with the Trump administration, opposing the tariffs on Canada and working with him to get new fighter jets for an air force base. Some Democrats have criticized Whitmer for appearing with Trump multiple times this year. 'I think it's exactly the right kind of approach,' he said. Elon Musk Democrats in Michigan have frequently tied Duggan to Elon Musk; an attempt to undercut Duggan by association with the divisive public figure. Musk, a former Trump ally, said in July that he would create a third political party. When Duggan responded to Musk on X saying 'Now you've got my attention,' the Michigan Democratic Party said the mayor was 'cozying' up to the richest man in the world. When asked about exchange, Duggan said his bid is 'exactly the opposite' of a third party and said he wants no part of one. As an independent, he would not be responsible for any party majority, he said. 'I'm going to work with whoever wins to build bridges,' he said. Arab American voters Michigan is home to one of the largest populations of Arab American voters in the U.S., many of whom are disillusioned with both political parties over Israel's military offensive in Gaza which has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis. 'The governor doesn't make policy 6,000 miles away,' Duggan said. 'The governor has a great deal to say about the tone of hate speech and threats to individuals — whether it's the Jewish community, the Arab community — in the state of Michigan.' Who else is in the race? Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run for reelection. The crowded field vying to replace her includes three Democrats — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson — and four Republicans — U.S. Rep. John James, state Senate Leader Aric Nesbitt, former state Attorney General Mike Cox and former Speaker of the state House Tom Leonard. Running as an independent allowed Duggan to avoid the Democratic primary, but he gave up access to the party's resources. He's well-known in Detroit and the surrounding areas but largely lacks statewide name recognition. Recent fundraising numbers showed Duggan was competitive with Benson, James and Nesbitt. Only Benson's campaign raised more than Duggan's, thanks to $1.1 million she transferred from her Secretary of State campaign account. National Democratic groups, though, are certain to prioritize the Michigan race and pour money in if needed. 'A lot of people in the state are fed up with a two party system,' Duggan said. 'And it's not going to change by electing another Republican or Democrat.'
Chicago Tribune
23 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Jeremy Busby: Gov. JB Pritzker should take a page out of Donald Trump's book by freeing Larry Hoover
As a Black man, I completely disagree with the 'Make America Great Again' agenda. However, as a political journalist, I completely recognize President Donald Trump's successful blueprint toward recruiting the Black male vote. As a result of assertive actions to correct long-standing injustices within the criminal justice system, Trump has increased his support from Black male voters from 13% in 2016 to 21% in the 2024 election. Trump's blueprint was on full display when he issued a commutation to Chicago native Larry Hoover in May. But Hoover remains locked up on state charges in Illinois — handing Trump an opportunity to one-up his Democratic rivals. Hoover grew up in the impoverished Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. He's always been controversial in the view of government officials, but he's been a staple in the struggle to improve the plight of those in the Black community. During the early 1970s when Black people were plagued with the perilous impacts of unchecked racial injustices, Hoover organized his neighbors to create better living conditions, personal wealth and political power. Forced to navigate America's unfair and corrupt socioeconomic order, he decided to operate outside of society's norms. Hoover formed an organization called the Gangster Disciples, or GDs, to serve as a mechanism for community empowerment. Some of the country's most powerful families today accumulated their wealth by peddling illegal alcohol during the Prohibition era. Similarly, Hoover's GDs got involved in drug distribution. Hoover's dedication to increasing political awareness in the Black community made him a target for government officials, and his participation in drug trafficking justified his incarceration. According to government records, the GDs amassed more than 30,000 members in over 28 states and were responsible for more than $100 million worth of drugs a year in Illinois alone. Like other influential Black leaders such as Malcolm X, Hoover abandoned criminal activity during his incarceration and committed to transforming the GDs into a pure civic improvement group. In addition to changing the name of the organization to Growth and Development, Hoover published a book called 'A Blueprint of a New Concept' that outlined a holistic vision for cleaning up Black communities across the nation. From his prison cell, Hoover started 21st Century V.O.T.E., a legitimate vehicle to incorporate young Black adults into politics, and Save the Children, a community outreach program for Black children. These initiatives, combined with Hoover's repeated disavowal of all criminal activities, have rendered his continued incarceration, after four decades, an unjust continuance of America's history of ostracizing Black leaders from the Black community. By issuing his commutation to Hoover, Trump gained political capital with Black men who have grown tired of the failed policies and broken promises of the Democratic Party to address criminal justice issues. Most Black males I have spoken with understand that Trump's infamous clemency toward people such as Hoover and hip-hop artists Lil Wayne, NBA YoungBoy and Kodak Black is mere political gamesmanship and does little to address the overall problems of mass incarceration of Black people. But sincere or not, these acts of clemency represent more than what the Democrats have offered. The commutation of Hoover's federal sentence and Trump's blueprint are a rare gift to Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, who has presidential aspirations for 2028. Pritzker could take executive action and grant Hoover his much awaited and deserved freedom. With the bold stroke of his pen, Pritzker could separate his presidential candidacy from the damaged Democratic Party brand and provide the Black male voting bloc with a viable option during the next election. By taking corrective action to free Hoover, Pritzker could offer clear evidence that he is courageous enough to take measured steps to right a wrong. Millions of Black men in this country have had a negative experience with the criminal justice system. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, Black people make up about 41% of the country's incarceration rate, despite being only 14% of the U.S. population. In my home state of Texas, I have watched the positive efforts of Hoover and his Growth and Development organization improve the conditions of numerous Black communities throughout the state. Additionally, I have witnessed the unjust incarceration of countless Black men, like Hoover, who make significant positive contributions to their environment on a daily basis and no longer pose a threat to society. Instead of spending millions searching for a way to counter Trump's appeal to the Black male voting bloc, all members of the Democratic Party have to do is transform their talk into action. Pritzker can begin a new trend by following Trump's blueprint and freeing Hoover. Jeremy Busby is an incarcerated journalist based in Texas. His nonprofit organization, JoinJeremy, is dedicated to advancing the works of incarcerated journalists and writers across the country.
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
From Bibles to prayer groups: What Trump's new religion memo for federal workers means
The memo provides guidance on religious expression for federal workers. Backers say it mirrors Clinton-era policies. But to others, the overtly Christian language raises First Amendment concerns. President Donald Trump is again making sure his supporters know he is doing his part to bring 'religion back to our country.' Most recently, his administration issued a memo in late July outlining to federal employees the types of religious expression allowed in the workplace. Bibles on desks. Groups joining together for prayer. An employee engaging with 'another in polite discussion of why his faith is correct and why the non-adherent should re-think his religious beliefs.' To many, it had overtly Christian-centric language, raising concerns about the rights of other religious groups. But backers say the memo reinforces existing policies for federal workers, including similar guidance during the Clinton administration. The memo, which Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor issued to all federal agencies, is 'very much in line' with Trump's previous actions on religious liberty, according to University of Houston law professor James Nelson. On the campaign trail and elsewhere, Trump has often told religious audiences he would bring religion back and since his second term began has highlighted efforts that appeal to his conservative Christian supporters. Trump issued an executive order calling for federal agencies to assist in 'Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias' in February, which was followed by the establishment of the White House Faith Office and the Religious Liberty Commission. In the commission's first public meeting in June, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said religious liberty had 'come under attack' in the country and vowed to protect religious freedom from 'emerging threats.' A spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management said the July 28 memo 'reiterates existing policy' but also updates it in light of U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have upheld religious liberty. It now references, for example, a 2023 ruling in favor of a Christian U.S. Postal Service worker who objected to working on Sundays. Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal organization, called the new memo a 'critical step in restoring a workplace culture that respects and promotes religious freedom for every American.' 'No American should have to check their faith at the door when they walk into the workplace,' the organization's legal counsel, Michael Ross, said. But experts, including Nelson, said the memo is less attentive to the potential for religious coercion and harassment in the workplace than previous guidance. What the memo says The five-page memo starts by describing Trump as a champion of religious liberty and goes on to say that the First Amendment, federal statutes and Supreme Court rulings protect federal employees' rights to religious expression in the workplace. It then describes acceptable forms of religious expression by individual workers and groups of federal workers, including in conversations between federal employees, in interactions with the public and through expressions in areas open to the public. The examples of acceptable forms of religious expression the memo cites are from Christian and Jewish traditions. They include: It also says employees may 'engage another in polite discussion of why his faith is correct and why the non-adherent should re-think his religious beliefs.' It notes, however, that the religious employee should honor any request to end such discussion. Trump administration praised Clinton-era guidance on religious expression But these aren't new policies. Former President Bill Clinton's administration issued similar guidance in 1997. Like the more recent memo, the Clinton-era guidance also permits '(engaging) another in a polite discussion of why his faith should be embraced' and says that, if the speaker is not requested to stop, agencies 'should not restrict or interfere with such speech.' 'In a country where freedom of speech and religion are guaranteed, citizens should expect to be exposed to ideas with which they disagree,' the 1997 memo says. Trump's first administration also issued a memo on religious liberty in 2017. It called for federal agencies to "ensure that they are following' the Clinton-era guidance and referred to it as a 'useful' resource for private employers in accommodating religious expression. In other words, there's 'nothing new' about the guidance, Heritage Foundation senior legal fellow Thomas Jipping said. But he said the enforcement of laws protecting religious liberty have been 'inconsistent' across presidential administrations. Jipping referenced a 2015 Supreme Court ruling in favor of religious nonprofits that objected to the contraception mandate in President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. In his view, the issue is not an oversaturation of religion in public life but rather some 'very aggressive efforts' to remove it. Jipping applauded what he described as the Trump administration's corrective actions. 'Let's face it – there's a lot of folks out there who want religious people to just shut up and go to church,' he said. 'That's never been, to quote a phrase, 'the American way.' That's not freedom.' Others are more skeptical of the Trump administration's actions. The most recent memo is 'very tilted in the direction of recognizing rights of religious expression and very unconcerned or quiet about the problems that might create,' according to George Washington University professor emeritus of law Ira Lupu. He contrasted it with the Clinton-era guidance, which he called 'balanced and fair-minded" in its acknowledgment of both the religious rights of federal employees and the associated risk of religious harassment in the workplace. The memo says, for example, that federal agencies can't refuse to hire Buddhists or 'impose more onerous requirements' on Buddhist job applicants, that an employee can have a Koran on their desk and read it during breaks, that employees can wear religious apparel like crucifixes or hijabs, and that employers may not force a Jehovah's Witness to take an oath that conflicts with their religious beliefs. Lupu noted that the new Trump administration memo does not mention Muslims, Buddhists or other minority religious groups. The Office of Personnel Management spokesperson, however, said the guidance is equally applicable to members of those and other faiths. When asked about the potential for religious coercion, the spokesperson said the memo "makes clear that declining such an invitation should not be a basis for discipline." First Amendment brings 'real tension,' expert says Nelson said he views a 'real tension' between some of the memo's tenets. It cites a 2015 Supreme Court ruling, for example, that found Title VII – a section of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that bans employment discrimination – gives religious practices 'favored treatment' under the law. But the memo then goes on to say employees should "be allowed to engage in private religious expression in work areas to the same extent that they may engage in nonreligious private expression." 'I do think that ... courts may need to deal with that in the years to come,' Nelson said. Though he acknowledged some may 'raise concerns' about the guidance, Princeton University law professor Robert George said he sees 'no such tension or conflict' between the Establishment Clause, which bans the government from favoring religion over non-religion, and the right to free exercise of religion. The Supreme Court's shift away from "strict separationism" has, in his view, protected Americans' right to express their religious beliefs while also making clear that such expression cannot be presented as the viewpoint of the U.S. government or interfere with others' rights. 'So, just as government employees may freely advocate or display symbols of secular causes – think of rainbow buttons or banners, Black Lives Matter insignia and so forth – they may freely express their religious opinions and display religious symbols – subject, as the memo makes clear, to reasonable and viewpoint-neutral time, place and manner regulations,' George said. BrieAnna Frank is a First Amendment Reporting Fellow at USA TODAY. Reach her at bjfrank@ USA TODAY's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.
