From slavery to pollution, National Park employees flagged material deemed disparaging' to US

"The Trump administration is reviewing material about slavery, the destruction of Native American culture, climate change and more at federal parks after employees flagged information that could be disparaging to Americans, according to screenshots shared with The Associated Press. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March directing the Interior Department which manages parks, monuments and other designated land to ensure public property doesn't contain elements that inappropriately disparage Americans past or living."

"The National Park Service had until July 18 to flag inappropriate signs, exhibits and other material, according to a document shared with the AP by the National Parks Conservation Association, which obtained internal information from an anonymous source within the Interior Department. The public was also encouraged to participate. As we carry out this directive, we'll be evaluating all signage in the park along with the public feedback we've received, said Elizabeth Peace, spokesperson for the Interior Department."

"The department said any signage inconsistent with the executive order will be removed or covered and reinstated once edits are made. The administration said it would remove all inappropriate material by Sept. 17, according to The New York Times, citing internal agency documents. The directive has raised concerns about sanitizing and erasing dark sides of American history. Pretending that the bad stuff never happened is not going to make it go away, said Alan Spears, a senior director with the National Parks Conservation Association, a nonpartisan group separate from the national parks system that advocates for it."

The Trump administration is reviewing National Park Service materials addressing slavery, the destruction of Native American culture, climate change and other topics after employees flagged content as potentially disparaging to Americans. An executive order directed the Interior Department to ensure public property does not contain elements that inappropriately disparage Americans and to emphasize the achievements and progress of the American people and the grandeur of the American landscape. The National Park Service had until July 18 to flag inappropriate signage and exhibits, and the public was invited to participate. The department said inconsistent signage will be removed or covered and reinstated after edits, with a goal of completing removals by Sept. 17. The directive has prompted concerns about sanitizing and erasing difficult aspects of history.

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