The article argues that the Trump administration's 'culture wars' and efforts to defund and dismantle Black arts and cultural institutions stem from a fear of Black culture's political power, drawing parallels to historical white supremacist efforts to control narratives. It critiques the focus on 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' (DEI) as a soft politics that misses the true threat Black culture poses to white supremacy.
Trump is terrified of Black culture. But not for the reasons you think
Donald TrumpRaceBlack US cultureCultureUnited StatesMuseumsArt and design
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The article argues that the Trump administration's 'culture wars' and efforts to defund and dismantle Black arts and cultural institutions stem from a fear of Black culture's political power, drawing parallels to historical white supremacist efforts to control narratives. It critiques the focus on 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' (DEI) as a soft politics that misses the true threat Black culture poses to white supremacy.
Trending- 1 1936: Jesse Owens won four Olympic gold medals in Berlin.
- 2 1960s (late): Black freedom struggle ignited BAM.
- 3 1962: Malcolm X's missive in a Los Angeles church.
- 4 1980: Jesse Owens died.
- 5 2016: National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) opened; Donald Trump elected.
- 6 Post-2020: Explosion of Black hires in elite 'fine' arts institutions.
- 7 Recent months: Trump administration advanced culture wars, takeovers of Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Smithsonian, firings of Black experts.
- 8 A week ago: Kim Sajet (NPG director) stepped down after Trump's call for termination.
- 9 June 11: Trump met with jeers at Kennedy Center opening night.
- Erosion of Black cultural institutions and leadership
- Suppression of Black historical narratives
- Misdirection of public discourse on 'DEI'
- Potential for Black cultural capital to be defanged of its political power
- Continued reinforcement of white supremacist ideologies
What: The Trump administration is waging a 'culture war' by attempting to defund, demolish, and demote Black arts and cultural institutions, firing Black experts and leadership, and implementing book bans and curricular control in universities. This is interpreted as a fear of Black culture's political power, rather than just an 'anti-DEI effort.'
When: 15th century (inception of race-based slavery); 1930s (Hitler's 'synchronization' campaign); 1936 (Berlin Olympics); Late 1960s (Black freedom struggle, BAM ignition, Kerner Commission survey); 1970s (BAM artists amplify consciousness); 1980 (Jesse Owens died); 2016 (NMAAHC opened, Trump elected); Post-2020 (explosion of Black hires in arts institutions); Recent months (Trump administration's actions); A week ago (Kim Sajet stepped down); June 11 (Kennedy Center opening night).
Where: United States, Berlin, African continent, African diaspora, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), National Portrait Gallery (NPG), Independence national historical park, Guggenheim Museum, Los Angeles.
Why: Trump's administration fears the political weaponization of culture by subjugated peoples; to reinforce white supremacy and control narratives; to prevent Black culture from challenging the myth of white cultural eminence and political power.
How: Through executive orders ('Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History'), drastic budget cuts to cultural endowments, takeovers of institutions, firings of Black leadership, and promoting a narrative of 'anti-DEI.'