#TalkRadio – May 20: If You Want to Be On the Wall: Buy The Wall: The Fight Against History Removal

SPEAKERS:

INTRODUCTION:

Hey Change Igniters! This week’s “Igniting Change” Radio Show on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time, is entitled “If You Want to Be on the Wall…Own The Wall!”  (Do The Right Thing).

As Sal said in Spike Lee’s movie “Do The Right Thing” when Sal, an Italian American pizza shop owner, was asked why Sal did not have Black people on the walls of his pizza shop that operated in a Black neighborhood, Sal responded “If you want Brothers on walls, get your place and you can put who you want to on the walls!”

The Trump Administration has initiated a continued strategic assault on African Americans and African American History to remove African Americans from the walls of U.S. History.  They have methodically and regularly used the power of the federal government to impose expanded Bans on African American Affirming Books.  The Administration has also sought to minimize and destroy the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC or “Black-Sonian”) in Washington, DC.  President Trump issued an executive order on March 27, 2025, stating that the “Black-Sonian” exhibits unlawfully promote “divisive, race-centered ideology.”

On Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the “Black-Sonian” hundreds of supporters got off the sidewalks and took to the streets.  Church congregations, social organizations, activists, students and people who care about Black history rallied to demonstrate their displeasure with the contemplated removal and devaluation of African American history from the “Black-Sonian.”

On Sunday, April 27th, the African-American Policy Forum (AAPF)had a National Week of Action with faith leaders nationwide speaking out about the attacks on Black History across the country.  There was, also, a weeklong campaign led by civil rights leaders to protect the “Black-Sonian.” This campaign, called “Hands Off Our History/Freedom to Learn National Week of Action,” was intended to counter efforts by the Trump administration to diminish diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.  The museum, described as the “crown jewel” of the Smithsonian system, is facing criticism and executive orders targeting its narratives.

The “Hands Off Our History” campaign concluded with a march on May 3 with demands from the community for the administration to support Black museums and libraries throughout America! Organizers emphasized the importance of preserving Black history as a vital part of American history and democracy. Activists continue to urge communities to raise funds, visit institutions, and lobby Congress for support. The museum opened in 2016 and attracts millions of visitors annually. 

The “Black-Sonian” highlights the history of slavery, segregation, and the contributions of African Americans. Critics of Trump’s order argue that it attempts to erase or distort history. Meanwhile, the museum has faced leadership changes, with Kevin Young stepping down as director earlier this month. Democratic lawmakers have condemned the executive order, calling it an attack on Black history and culture.  

The Smithsonian Institution has actively refuted claims that artifacts are being removed from the National Museum of African American History and Culture due to President Trump’s executive order targeting “improper ideology.” The Smithsonian claimed that returning artifacts is standard practice under loan agreements and emphasized that items are rotated to ensure preservation and exhibit variety. They denied allegations of removing significant artifacts, such as the Greensboro sit-in lunch counter and stool, stating that these items remain on display in their respective exhibits. 

The response to the attack on African American History, African American Affirming Books, and Black Museums must be a community-based attack to protect our history.   One such response was demonstrated by the Caucus of African American Leaders, where its convener, Carl Snowden, led a protest against the banned book removal from the library shelves of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

The protest by the Caucus of African American Leaders was against an Executive Order by President Donald Trump which led to the removal of nearly 400 books from the U.S. Naval Academy’s library. These books, authored by figures like Maya Angelou and others, were removed for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The protest took place at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and included attorneys, clergy, educators, and local residents. 

The response to the systemic, repeated, and targeted attempts to erase African American history and significance must be addressed at the community level as well as the governmental levels.  Efforts must also be implemented for African American communities to erect privately funded museums and statues to tell their own history.  We must “build our own walls” to protect and tell our story.

In San Antonio, TX the San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum (SAAACAM) is a privately funded African American Museum that, upon completion of its 100,000 square foot building, will become one of the largest African American Museums in America.   In Annapolis, Maryland, on May 28, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., the construction of a privately funded Congressman Parren J. Mitchell Memorial, celebrating the first African American elected to Congress below the Mason Dixon Line since 1898 (Civil War Reconstruction), will be unveiled and join the privately funded “Footsoldier Memorial, Coretta Scott King Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

 “If you want Brothers on walls, get your place and you can put who you want to on the walls!”  This philosophy should be a part of the preservation of African American history.  Taxpayer funded memorials and museums that provide the full and inclusive history of contributions to the building of America,however, should also be an essential part of displaying African American history.

Today’s Igniting Change Radio will discuss the privately funded efforts to preserve African American History and the government’s responsibility to funding the full and complete story of American History.   Today’s panel represents experts in African American History as well as former elected officials that will discuss the community and governmental value of telling the whole story of American history.

QUESTIONS:

The questions included below are designed to provide a guide but are not the only possible questions, nor may they be asked in the exact same order. If a question does not have a specific name, then it is for everyone.

 Dr. Whitehead

• Dr. Whitehead, welcome back to Igniting Change.  There was a March in Washington on Saturday, May 3, 2025 regarding protecting the Black Smithsonian.  Could you share with our audience what the march was all about?

• Why is it important for Black people to become involved in the fight to preserve our museums and build monuments?

Ms. Omawale Jarmon

• Ms. Omowale, you are the CEO of what will be one of nation’s largest African American Museums.   What has been the community’s response to the SAAACAM?

• Do you believe that SAAACAM has made a difference in the community?

• Why is SAAACAM important?  How is it funded?

Senator Mitchell

• Senator Mitchell, there is a monument being built and dedicated to your uncle, the late Congressman Parren J. Mitchell.  Who was Congressman Mitchell and why is it important that there be a monument in his honor?

Carl Snowden

• Carl Snowden, you have been involved in building at least four different privately funded memorials that pay tribute to African Americans in your community and state.  Why not force the local, state or federal government to pay to erect these memorials?

• Carl, one of President Trump’s Executive Orders that has everyone upset is the EO on the National Museum for African American History and Culture. What does this Executive Order say?

 Dr. Whitehead

• Dr. Whitehead, do you believe that there should be educational programs instituted that require students to visit and write essays about various memorials around their state and country?  What impact would this have on their education?

 Ms. Omawale Jarmon

• Ms. Omawale there are GenZ and Gen Alpha listening to this show, what do yo suggest that they do to get involved in the struggle to preserve their history?

General Questions

• The Trump Administration appears bent on suppressing and erasing African American contributions to American history.  What response should elected officials, community members and other people have to this occurrence?

• For our listeners that want to get involved, what do you suggest that they do? How do they get involved in the movement to save Black history?

• Does the action of the Trump administration demonstrate the importance of voting in America…he who has the money and the power calls the tunes?

• If people want to learn more about your organization or want to become involved in the fight to preserve African American history, how do you suggest that they get involved?

• If our listeners have questions, how can they contact you?