The Smithsonian's lost integrity

[Commentary] On Jan 31, the Smithsonian Institution's board of regents holds its first meeting since Secretary G. Wayne Clough pulled a controversial video artwork out of an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. It was a blatant act of censorship and a betrayal of the institution's mission. Now the question is, can Clough be an effective leader given the damage he's done?

Clough sent a chilling message to the rest of the scholars and scientists at the Smithsonian: If you research the most challenging parts of our nation's past, the Smithsonian's leadership may not support you. Historians, researchers and curators at our national museums must be able to examine all of our history with determination, fearlessness and fealty to the facts. Clough's actions have ensured that every Smithsonian curator will wonder which facts they can present before he will find the truth inconvenient. As long as Clough leads the Smithsonian, the institution's curators cannot produce history and conduct research without wondering if their work will become politically expendable. To restore integrity to the Smithsonian's work, Clough must go.