In Smithsonian Race Guidelines, Rational Thinking and Hard Work Are White Values
BY MARINA WATTS ON 7/17/20
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture recently unveiled guidelines for talking about race. A graphic displayed in the guidelines, entitled “Aspects and Assumptions of Whiteness in the United States,” declares that rational thinking and hard work, among others, are white values.
In the section, Smithsonian declares that “objective, rational, linear thinking,” “quantitative emphasis,” “hard work before play,” and various other values are aspects and assumptions of whiteness.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture had no comment for Newsweek. They referred to the website’s page titled “Whiteness” when asked for additional comment. The graphic was later removed from the page.