Rewriting Tennessee’s national park signs insults our ability to reckon with our history

As Tennesseans prepare to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, many will head to the Volunteer State’s federally-managed parks to recreate, view monuments, commemorate historical events, hike trails, camp and pay tribute at national battlefields and cemeteries.

When exploring the trails, statues, historic buildings and visitor centers of these parks, Tennesseans will inevitably find themselves at wayside signs: large-print outdoor panels used by the National Park Service to help visitors understand parks’ landscapes, …