As the Trump administration seeks to remove exhibits on race and slavery from national parks and reassess the Smithsonian's approach to history, cultural institutions face challenges in how to respond. Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, urges these institutions to expand their efforts, not retreat, saying remaining silent in this moment would dishonor those who fought for justice.
Stevenson, whose work has transformed Montgomery into a hub for confronting racial injustice, oversees memorials and museums that have drawn millions of visitors. His latest project, the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, features a 43-foot wall inscribed with the names of formerly enslaved people. Stevenson believes the political push to erase difficult history only highlights the importance of preserving these stories.
Stevenson, whose work has transformed Montgomery into a hub for confronting racial injustice, oversees memorials and museums that have drawn millions of visitors. His latest project, the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, features a 43-foot wall inscribed with the names of formerly enslaved people. Stevenson believes the political push to erase difficult history only highlights the importance of preserving these stories.
