, The Washington Post; The National Archives used to stand for independence. That mission has been compromised.
"Now the Archives has foolishly compromised the public’s sense of its independence, so artfully embedded in its landmark building. By blurring out details from protest signs
in an image of the 2017 Women’s March, including the name of President
Trump and references to the female anatomy — a decision the Archives
publicly apologized for
on Saturday — it has damaged the faith many Americans, particularly
women, may have had in its role as an impartial conservator of the
nation’s records. It has unnecessarily squandered something that cannot
easily be regained.
There must be consequences.
An
Archives spokeswoman told The Washington Post the changes to a
large-format image included in an exhibition about women’s suffrage were
made “so as not to engage in current political controversy.” If that
was the intent, they obviously failed, embroiling the institution in
exactly the controversy they say they wanted to avoid. But no matter the
proferred explanation or statement of apology,
the decision indicates a lack of leadership and distinct confusion
about the mission at the Archives. If the Archives wants to teach
Americans about history, then it must be scrupulously honest in its
presentation of all documentary evidence."
