The Opinions Is Trump’s Version of America’s History a Lie? (Re-Air)
Dec 24, 2025
Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, is a powerful voice against racial injustice and a champion for historical truth. In this conversation, he critiques the political battle over America's narrative, particularly around institution like the Smithsonian. Stevenson emphasizes the need for honest history about slavery and segregation to truly heal, arguing that celebrating achievements should not come at the cost of recognizing past wrongs. He also highlights the dangers of recent legal shifts and calls for leaders to openly confront bigotry for progress.
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Truth-Telling Shapes National Recovery
- Honest public narratives shape a nation's future by enabling accountability and learning.
- Bryan Stevenson argues museums and memorials create a truth-telling environment that supports justice outside the courts.
Lessons From Apartheid And Berlin
- Bryan Stevenson describes visiting the Apartheid Museum and Berlin and seeing national reckoning through memorials.
- He contrasts that with the U.S., saying we have not confronted slavery and lynching the same way.
Whitewashing Perpetuates Harm
- Whitewashing history perpetuates present harms by leaving underlying biases unaddressed.
- Stevenson says acknowledging slavery and lynching is necessary to liberate future generations from racial burdens.