After universities and museums, American national parks are in turn concerned by President Donald Trump’s policy. Any reference to slavery must be removed from sites dependent on the National Park Service (NPS), in accordance with the presidential line aimed at the contents deemed “Inappropriate” And “Woke”.
The decree of March 27, 2025, entitled “Restore truth and reason in American history”imposes on the NPS to submit a report listing the elements considered to be a “Corrosive ideology” Before July 18, 2025. Since September 17, the federal government has proceeded with the withdrawal of the objects, images and texts targeted.
McPherson & Oliver, Peter Gordon, The Scourged Back
1863, Bâton-Rouge, Louisiana, United States. Among the most striking deletions isScourged back
a photograph of 1863 showing the lacerated back of an ancient slave named Peter Gordon. Made by McPherson & Oliver During the Civil War, the image was published on July 4, 1863 in the Harper’s Weekly and quickly became an abolitionist symbol. She was reused in 2020 during the “Black Lives Matter” demonstrations after the death of George Floyd. Currently exposed to Fort Pulaski National Monument in Georgia, it must be withdrawn. Other sites are concerned, including the Harpers Ferry historic park in Virginia-Western and the President’s House in Philadelphia. As soon as the decree was announced, the reactions were not long in coming. A visitor of the Philadelphia Hall independence said on the information panels that it appeared to him as a“Censorship disguised as customer service” . Heritage associations have also reacted. Alan Spears, director of cultural resources at the National Parks Conservation Association, recalled:
“The big countries are not hiding from their history. They learn from the past and face it when necessary. »» The academics also express their concerns. Jonathan Zimmerman, professor of history of education at the University of Pennsylvania, stressed that these measures constitute“A huge increase in power and federal control over the things we learn”
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