A coalition of civil rights organizations has kicked off a week-long initiative aimed at condemning Donald Trump’s criticism of black history, which notably includes a recent executive order that impacts the Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C.
This effort, led by the African American Policy Forum (AAPF)—a social justice think tank co-founded by law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw—focuses on addressing the structural consequences of racism. Crenshaw, an authority on Critical Race Theory (CRT), has long opposed initiatives such as book bans and attempts to restrict discussions about racial history, particularly since the Republican-led campaign against CRT began in 2020.
“This week, our goal was to inundate the space with black history,” Crenshaw remarked about the campaign. “Attacks on ideas rooted in racial justice don’t just target specific aspects; they reflect efforts to push a narrative that overlooks the more complex, challenging parts of our nation’s story,” she explained.
The campaign will culminate on May 3rd with a demonstration and prayer vigil outside the NMAAHC.
A press release dated April 28 indicated that protests were led by AAPF, with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and several other advocacy groups criticizing Trump’s actions as a serious attempt to wipe out black history and culture. In March, Trump mandated a significant overhaul of the Smithsonian, aiming to eliminate what he referred to as “inappropriate, divisive, or anti-American ideology.” Interestingly, he targeted NAAMHC, a museum celebrated since its establishment in 2016.
A statement from the coalition included a powerful affirmation: “Black history is American history. Without it, we can’t comprehend the nation’s struggle for freedom or build a more just future. Our history deserves protection not only in schools and libraries but also within our collective memory—museums, monuments, and places of remembrance.”
“I wasn’t surprised,” Crenshaw said regarding Trump’s executive order. “These attacks on civil rights seemed to have no limits, which was unsettling.”
This week, the AAPF conducted a session focusing on the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which are part of a wider movement. About 1,500 individuals participated in a virtual event, “Black Light: Beyond the First 100 Days: Fight for Democracy,” where civil rights leaders and academics shared insights on how to resist attempts to censor history. Additional activities, including coffee meetups and sign-making, provided spaces for deeper discussions about the implications of Trump’s first executive order on racial justice.
The group also introduced the “Challenge of Black History.” This initiative encourages participants to identify historical sites and artifacts, recognizing their significance in relation to black history in America. Crenshaw even posted a video from Blues Beach in Manhattan Beach, California, highlighting a story from 1912 about a black couple who purchased oceanfront land to create a resort for black visitors—land that was later seized by the city. “It’s crucial to understand that the absence of black ownership of beachfront properties isn’t simply a coincidence—it results from the legal structures that historically favored white individuals,” Crenshaw noted.
This campaign emerges as the Trump administration seeks to dismantle DEI initiatives across various levels of government since the start of his second term. Notably, Trump has threatened to withhold federal funds from schools that maintain DEI programs and has taken steps to curb these efforts in universities.
Crenshaw added, “To uphold the idea of making America great again, we must overlook its flaws. We’ve always recognized that the endgame here is to erase perceptions of our country’s challenges, particularly regarding racial justice.”
In response, advocacy groups are channeling their frustrations into collective action through protests and campaigns. “We aim not just to preserve artifacts but to ensure the authentic experiences of those who endured oppression are recognized,” expressed Pastor Savon Allin Bradley, president of the National Council of Black Women.
Partnerships and collaborations are emphasized as vital, particularly in light of the significance of the NMAAHC. “This is fundamentally a collective endeavor that involves multiple ethnicities and cultures,” said Arline-Bradley. “When you attempt to erase our African American history, you’re really trying to wipe out our culture.”
