Ava DuVernay Defends a Smithsonian Under Fire From Trump
In accepting an award at the National Museum of American History, the filmmaker alluded to recent moves by the White House to reshape the Smithsonian’s programming.
Black People
Trump Administration Fires Librarian of Congress
Dr. Carla D. Hayden was the first African American and the first woman to serve as the head of the Library of Congress. Her firing drew a furious response from Democrats.
Trump’s Wishes Aside, Censoring Racial History May Prove Difficult
Efforts to take the edge off the nation’s racial past in compliance with White House executive orders are facing resistance from institutions and citizens determined to preserve the truth about Black history.
Alexis Herman, First Black Secretary of Labor, Dies at 77
A social worker, she became a Democratic Party insider and joined President Bill Clinton’s cabinet during his second term.
Head of African American Museum Departs as Trump Targets Smithsonian
Kevin Young, who has led the National Museum of African American History and Culture since 2021, went on leave before the president criticized the institution in an executive order.
Justice Department Moves to Unseal MLK Jr.’s FBI Surveillance Records
The request, which comes on the heels of an executive order by President Trump, represents a sharp reversal for the F.B.I. and the department.
Arlington Cemetery Website Loses Pages on Black Soldiers, Women in Military and Civil War
The cemetery, which is operated by the Army, said it was working to restore the content. Among the obscured pages was material about civil rights.
Under Pressure From Republicans, D.C. Begins Removal of Black Lives Matter Mural
The mural, which covers two city blocks, was painted in 2020.
Robert G. Clark, 96, Dies; Broke a Barrier in Mississippi’s Statehouse
In 1968, he became the first Black person to serve in the Legislature since Reconstruction. Shunned by colleagues at first, he became a political force in the state.
A Play About Segregation Tries to ‘Ride a Fine Line’ in Florida
A production partly aimed at students that highlights Tampa’s history in the civil rights movement lands at a time when the state is changing what schools teach about race and history.