What a DHS post says about White womanhood and the American empire today

July 29, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security recently posted John Gast's 1872 painting "American Progress" on social media with the caption "A Heritage to be proud of, a Homeland worth Defending," drawing significant attention. The painting, displayed at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, depicts a floating white woman leading westward expansion while displacing Native Americans and buffalo. Museum experts contextualize the artwork as romanticizing colonization through the symbol of white womanhood, while contrasting it with Indigenous perspectives through complementary exhibits.

Who is affected

Indigenous, Spanish, and Mexican people whose displacement is symbolized in the painting
Museum visitors and social media audiences exposed to the DHS post
Women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds in American history who experienced divergent rights
People impacted by current immigration enforcement under the Trump administration
Cultural institutions like the Autry Museum that work to provide historical context
Groups potentially affected by Trump administration policies regarding historical narratives

What action is being taken

The Department of Homeland Security is posting historical artwork with nationalistic captions on social media
The Autry Museum is providing critical context for "American Progress" through its exhibition design and placement
The museum is displaying Indigenous artwork like Rose B. Simpson's "Grounded" alongside colonial perspectives
The Autry Museum is hosting a temporary exhibit called "Future Imaginaries: Indigenous Art, Fashion, Technology"
Museum experts are actively working to contextualize historical art in relation to American history

Why it matters

The DHS's use of "American Progress" represents a particular vision of American history that glorifies westward expansion while obscuring its impact on Indigenous peoples. The painting's symbolism of White womanhood as a vehicle for colonization connects to contemporary debates about immigration, national identity, and historical narratives. The contrast between the DHS's presentation and the Autry Museum's contextual approach highlights ongoing tensions about how America's history is portrayed. This occurs as the Trump administration considers removing books about slavery from national parks and erasing diversity mentions from federal government, showing how historical interpretation remains politically charged.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th