Conservative Bishop Attacks Smithsonian for Embracing Inclusive American History
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Bishop Earl Walker Jackson has criticized the Smithsonian National Museum of American History for what he calls a 'partisan' approach, objecting to the museum's efforts to highlight issues of race, class, and social justice as central to the American narrative.
Bishop Earl Walker Jackson, a Black Episcopal leader, has launched a reactionary attack on the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, accusing it of presenting an 'anti-American narrative.' Jackson, whose great-grandparents were enslaved, derided the museum’s commitment to truth-telling as 'indoctrination,' objecting to its focus on race, class, and income disparities—realities that have shaped the nation. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Jackson condemned the museum’s leadership for promoting what he pejoratively termed a 'woke' ideology, referencing a White House Domestic Policy Council report that labeled the museum’s programming as 'ideological capture.'
The July report criticized the museum for framing U.S. history as a tool for social-justice advocacy, as if acknowledging historical injustices is somehow controversial. The report cited museum director Anthea Hartig, who rightfully described history as a 'prime tool of social justice' and called for reparative measures to address past wrongs. Jackson, however, insisted that history should be 'neutral,' ignoring the lived experiences of marginalized communities and the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths.
Jackson also invoked past disputes with Smithsonian institutions, including his 2015 protest over the inclusion of reproductive rights pioneer Margaret Sanger in a civil-rights exhibit, revealing his broader opposition to progressive change. He linked the museum’s approach to the influence of historian Howard Zinn, whose work has empowered generations to question sanitized versions of history. Jackson argued that such perspectives represent 'ideological capture' in education, media, and entertainment, dismissing the need for critical engagement with America’s past.
The White House report and subsequent congressional hearings have intensified scrutiny of the museum’s leadership, reflecting ongoing resistance to honest historical reckoning. The Smithsonian and related entities have not provided comment to the reporter.