April 24th 2025.
The Whitney Plantation, a former plantation in Louisiana that now serves as a museum educating visitors about the realities of slavery, has recently faced a major setback. According to The Guardian, the federal funding that has been supporting the museum's important work has been pulled due to President Donald Trump's opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency that provides resources and support to libraries, archives, and museums across the country, has terminated two grants specifically aimed at funding Black history and culture projects. This decision came as a result of Trump's cuts to federal funding for arts and cultural institutions, as well as his undermining of state and federal programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Fortunately, the Whitney Plantation had already received one of the grants in early 2025. However, the other grant, which was intended to fund an exhibit on the ways in which enslaved individuals resisted their oppression on plantations, was set to be completed in June and was due to open in January 2026. Without the funding, the museum stands to lose approximately $55,000 and the future of the exhibit is uncertain.
The plantation recently received a letter dated April 8, informing them that the grant they had already partially received would be withdrawn. Dr. Ashley Rogers, the Executive Director of the Whitney Plantation, expressed disappointment at this news, although it was not entirely unexpected. "To spend nearly three years on a project and then have the funding pulled at the very end, it essentially means there won't be an exhibit," she said in an interview with WWLTV. "I've been following the news and it's clear that the IMLS has been a target for some time now. Some people believe it's not necessary, but in reality, it provides crucial funding for museums and libraries in smaller communities all across the country. So obviously, we were very disappointed by this decision. We strongly believe that the IMLS does fantastic work for people all over the country."
The IMLS has been a target of Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency from the beginning. In fact, the president issued an executive order calling for the agency to be "eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law" within seven days of taking office. As a result, many library systems and museums across the nation have expressed concerns about receiving promised grants.
Rogers emphasized the danger of targeting African American history and culture, stating, "It's extremely dangerous to be erasing a part of our history and knowledge, particularly when it comes to African American history and culture. This is a slippery slope. History has shown us that changing our narratives about our shared stories never leads to anything positive. It's crucial that we continue to tell these stories, especially now when there is a concerted effort to rewrite our national narrative of American history."
In a time when issues such as microplastics and pollutants are gaining more attention, it's important not to overlook the dangers of ignoring and erasing important aspects of our past. The Whitney Plantation's mission to educate and preserve the truth about slavery is crucial for understanding our country's complex history and ensuring a more inclusive and equitable future.
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