To the Editor:
Re “Trump Seeks to Eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts” (news article, nytimes.com, May 2) and “Top Officials at National Endowment for Arts Resign Amid Cuts by Trump” (news article, May 7):
I can’t say I was surprised by President Trump’s proposal to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Autocrats scorn art for its ability to speak truth to power. They know that art can mobilize and unite, inspire and defy. Yes, art challenges authority, and it’s pretty clear by now that Mr. Trump assails all challengers.
As a high school teacher over the last 28 years, I’ve been fortunate to take part in N.E.H. programming, specifically its Summer Institutes and its Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshops.
At these gatherings of teachers and experts from around the country, I’ve deepened my knowledge of literature, history, music and geography. I’ve exchanged ideas with other educators. I’ve developed lasting friendships. I’ve honed my expertise. Thousands of my students have enjoyed enriched lessons thanks to my involvement in N.E.H.-funded institutes and workshops.
With a crumbling education system and a shrinking teacher pipeline in much of America, isn’t such programming the very antidote to failure?
The slash-and-burn approach of this administration doesn’t just undermine our economy, our social safety nets, our historic preservation and our scientific research and advancement. It also leaves in ashes the democratic values — wisdom, vision, creativity, innovation — that create an engaged citizenry.
Of course, that’s all part of the plan. A disengaged, fearful, overwhelmed citizenry is so much easier to control.
Gary J. Whitehead
Norwood, N.J.
To the Editor:
Regarding President Trump’s proposal to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, we should remember just why such institutions are important. Of course, museums and libraries have many functions, but one of the most significant is that they give us all direct access to works of art.
What is special about being involved in art is that, for the moment that we are immersed in a work of art, we are better people — more creative, kinder, more idealistic, more alive — than we are normally. What is sad is that, in the next moment, we are our same old selves again. Such is life.
However, it’s good to be reminded now and then of what we can be. Museums and libraries are places where we can be in touch with our best selves.
Frank Robinson
Ithaca, N.Y.
The writer was a museum director for 35 years, at Williams College, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum and Cornell University.
Trump’s Threat of Tariffs on Films Made Abroad
To the Editor:
Re “Citing National Security, Trump Vows a Tariff on Movies Made Outside U.S.” (news article, May 6):
Together with his thirst for absolute power and control and his penchant for exacting revenge on his perceived enemies, Donald Trump has added another dimension.
For the disingenuous reason of making Hollywood great again, President Trump said he would impose a 100 percent tariff on movies “produced” outside the United States. If he meant movies made by other countries like those we see at foreign film festivals here, Mr. Trump has shown himself to be quite prescient. However creatively disguised, such films may indeed reflect an anti-Trump bias.
We have learned that Mr. Trump takes no blame, accepts no accountability and extracts retribution from his critics. Yet he blames others for his mistakes and criticizes, demeans or mocks his perceived enemies constantly. Hypocrisy as usual.
With his threat of tariffs on the foreign film industry and his unbelievable suggestion that he wants only to make Hollywood great again, he is now seeking retribution before a slight occurs. Perhaps he knows it will be coming.
Patricia Weller
Emmitsburg, Md.
To the Editor:
I am a senior, somewhat homebound. One of my few pleasures are quality films about history, many of them from Europe. President Trump is entertained by pro wrestling; I am entertained by historical drama. We have different tastes.
Fortunately, in America we have been free to choose, so far. Americans choose what they want to consume, and it is not always about price. Sometimes it is about quality as well.
It seems that we will end up like Communist countries, where the government controlled what you could purchase, resulting in mediocrity. How can it be that the party of free enterprise now offers us a future in which the state limits what we can buy and even what we can enjoy, such as historical dramas that educate and entertain?
Beverly Bozung
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
