Recent signage at National Parks in Northern California encourages visitor engagement through feedback, notably criticizing the historical context presented. This has sparked backlash from historians and advocates fearing it represents an effort to whitewash history and diminish the contributions of key figures. Critics stress that history should remain factual, not subject to public opinion. The initiative coincides with budget cuts to the National Park Service, raising alarms about the government's role in controlling historical narratives and the implications of public feedback on historical interpretation.
"This is an attempt to rewrite history, whitewash history. Eliminate the stories of critical contributors to history," said Dennis Arguelles with the National Parks Conservation Association.
"The reporting of history, the detailing of history is not a customer service issue. It is either fact or it is not fact," said Nicholas Baham.
"Hands off the National Park Service. The park service has for more than 100 years has been the storytellers," said Nicholas Baham.
"The idea that now anyone can disagree with the presentation of fact and complain about it...sends a chilling message...about who controls history in this country," said Nicholas Baham.
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