The new panels shift attention away from enslaved people and instead focus on Washington's theoretical opposition to the institution. This strategy is nearly as old as the nation itself, used by Americans with very different political aims. Wrote about it here. johngmarks.beehiiv.com/p/george-was...
On Americans' off-and-on, centuries-long effort to paint Washington as an antislavery crusader.
🚨 BREAKING: 3rd Circuit allows Trump to replace slavery exhibits it removed from George Washington's Philadelphia mansion ahead of July 4.
The new panels say Washington's slaves had more "autonomy" and "even attend the theater, with Washington buying the tickets."
w/ @fallonroth.bsky.social 🎁🔗
The three-judge panel unanimously agreed to toss out an injunction that ordered the National Park Service to restore interpretive panels telling the story of nine people enslaved at the site.
