A Conversation with Lonnie G. Bunch: Music as a form of Protest

Lonnie G. Bunch III is the fourteenth secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the first African American and first historian to serve as head of the Smithsonian. In 2020, Bunch was interviewed by Dometi Pongo for his Smithsonian learning lab Songs for Change - Listening for Inequality.

Bunch served as the founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, which was targeted in Trump's latest executive order RESTORING TRUTH AND SANITY TO AMERICAN HISTORY, for in Trump's white nationalist opinion, subjecting America to "ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history."

From Lead Belly to Kendrick Lamar, Black musicians have long used song to share stories of struggle and triumph. Join MTV News host Dometi Pongo and Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie G. Bunch III as they discuss music's role as a gateway to teaching others about Black culture and combating injustice. #BlackHistoryMatters #ConversationsInContext From the Series: Conversations in Context: Movements https://bitly.com/2OSUMWT

Trump Signs EO To Destroy Black, Women's, Trans History at the Smithsonian

We'wha, 1849-1896, a Zuni lhamana (Two-Spirit) soul, is known for the portrait of them holding a clay ceremonial prayer-meal basket, a piece that highlights their role as a skilled artist and cultural leader. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Learning Lab Resource: Retrieved March 28, 2025.

Trump's latest assault on America was carried out behind closed doors last night in the form of an EO that threatens funding to the Smithsonian and calls for the removal of "improper ideology" and reinstallation of Confederate statues removed after George Floyd was murdered.

In a statement to staff Thursday, Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian, promised to "remain steadfast in our mission to bring history, science, education, research, and the arts to all Americans" in light of Trump's executive order.

Trump has longed to get Black people mad enough to take to the streets again so he can declare martial law. This may be it.

Trump singled out the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016 near the White House, the Women’s History Museum, which is in development, and the American Art Museum for criticism.

Trump also wants to ensure that the women’s history museum celebrates women and not “recognize men as women in any respect,” the AP reports

The physical artifacts on display would not be carefully stored. Given Trump's track record, they would most likely be tossed into a dumpster. This must not happen.