Rev. Robert Turner, who regularly walks from Baltimore to Washington D.C. as part of his advocacy efforts, made his journey again on April 16, carrying signs calling for immediate reparations. This month, he added a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture to his itinerary. Upon arrival, he knelt in prayer and placed a wreath at the museum entrance, an action intended to show his support for the museum’s mission. The museum and other Smithsonian sites had recently come under criticism from former President Donald Trump following his executive order accusing these institutions of promoting “divisive, race-centered ideology.” Turner, pastor of the Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, emphasized solidarity with the museum, which has been cataloging both the tragedies and triumphs of Black Americans since it opened in 2016 and marked a significant milestone with its 10 millionth visitor in 2023. He encouraged church members to join as museum members, with rates beginning at $25 per year.
Turner’s call for backing aligns with movements in other predominantly Black congregations across the nation. His inspiration came from Rev. Otis Moss III, who leads Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Moss has been encouraging involvement with the museum as an act of preservation. Rev. Jacqui J. Lewis of New York’s Middle Church and Bishop Timothy Clarke of Columbus, Ohio’s First Church of God have similarly endorsed the museum. Clarke noted his grandson’s recent education enhancement through a field trip to the museum. While Trump’s directive didn’t explicitly reference funding cuts, it tasked Vice President JD Vance with eliminating “improper ideology” from these institutions. Opponents of the order argue it attempts to mask significant parts of American history.
Rev. Turner views his monthly journey to Washington as a personal mission to highlight the need for reparations addressing the historical and systemic racial inequities faced by Black Americans. His activism has been ongoing for over 31 months. Previously serving in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he advocated for reparations relating to the 1921 race massacre. Upon reaching the White House last week, Turner observed visitors, one child importantly questioning the meaning of reparations. He interprets this as evidence of the necessity for a more honest portrayal of U.S. history. Social media comments by Moss convey optimism about the museum’s future and see his congregation, Trinity, as “unashamedly Black and unapologetically Christian.”
The African American museum itself is in a transitional phase, with leadership changes following the departure of Director Kevin Young. Concerns over the executive order have caught the attention of Democrats on the House Administration Committee, who penned a letter to Vice President Vance denouncing efforts to obscure Black history as unpatriotic and cowardly. This multi-voiced initiative underscores the critical need for dialogue and action in the bold representation of American history.