By: Nora Scarbro

Executive Order “Restorying Truth And Sanity To American History” or Executive Order 14253 was signed by Donald Trump on March 27.

According to the order, it is a response to current trends in recording, presenting, and teaching history: “This revisionist movement seeks to undermine the remarkable achievements of the United States by casting its founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light.”

The main effect that would be taking place is a change to historical displays. The goal is to paint America in a light that hides parts of history that don’t fit with the ideologies of this order. “Our Nation’s unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness is reconstructed as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed,” the order said. 

One specific thing that is being affected is museums and the curation of history that comes with them. Museum curators are reviewing certain exhibits that might focus on a more unfortunate part of history due to this executive order.

History is a series of causes and effects and historical displays are built around curating that. A worry about the passing of EO 14253 is a fear of a filter being placed on historical displays that will mitigate their impact. “And you have to realize that there’s always been struggle in history and overcoming struggle is the important part,” a Bellbrook history teacher said.

The goal of this executive order is to alter how history gets presented; however, the idea of the alteration is what is controversial. To some, this alteration to historical presentation may be seen as a destruction of history.

“No matter how much you try and get rid of something, it will always be there,” a senior at BHS said.

The EO sees the recording of history as a way to keep American morals high. “Rather than fostering unity and a deeper understanding of our shared past, the widespread effort to rewrite history deepens societal divides and fosters a sense of national shame, disregarding the progress America has made and the ideals that continue to inspire millions around the globe,” the EO said.

Historical education of all sides has been acknowledged as important by the state history standards for years. “It’s in our standards and there’s so much factual and corroborated historical evidence from, you know, 200 years ago, 300 hundred years ago,” a high school social studies teacher from Bellbrook said. This protection of education in schools is, as of date, protected and won’t be affected by this specific executive order.

Because this is an executive order, it may be temporary. The next president has the option to completely get rid of this order.