Mike H:

From studying the Enola Gay exhibit and the controversy surrounding it, I have learned much about politics, history, and society in general. Furthermore, it has had a profound impact on my own personal world-view. I am now able to see the world on a much broader scale, with far greater objectivity than before. I now understand certain truths about our society that were not apparent to me before. I have come to the conclusion that history can never truly be recorded nor presented objectively.

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The only way that we could have history presented objectively is if everything in history went perfectly. In other words, there were no errors no hate, no enemies, or anything negative at all, or if we are gods, free from greed and emotion, and we are able engulf the information without any pain, but alas neither is true in the real world today. Thus it cannot happen.

Lies can enslave men but the truth shall set them free. The studying of the Enola Gay controversy is my savior. For it cut the very bonds that held me back and freed me from the captivity of the government and the media.  Is this for the better or for the worse? I shall have to wait and see, for only time can tell.
 

Krissy:

Because controversy remains among Americans that the atomic bombs were deployed on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II, history needs to be discussed.  Since some do not agree with the use of atomic weapons, there is a need to explore the fact that they were, indeed, used.  If such destruction can possibly be avoided in the future, why not digest the past and learn from what some might view as a “mistake”?  Without any opinions or forced ideas, it is of great consequence to allow the new generation of Americans to form their own views on atomic weapons.  It is absurd to hide to whole, true story of the past to younger Americans in an attempt to shun the destruction we caused.  Why would we be ashamed of our past and not relay the story to young Americans like me?  I feel the fear of the stakeholders who opposed the Smithsonian is that younger Americans will feel humiliated that we are the only nation to ever use atomic weapons.  I can serve as your exhibit in stating that I am in no way ashamed of our nation’s past.  However, hiding the true story is something I am not too proud of witnessing.  It is vital to confer about the end of World War II to a generation of Americans, like myself, who are eager to learn about our nation’s history.
 

Evan:

Historical controversies always arise when it comes time to record who is right and who is wrong. Since September 11th, 2001, one of our nation’s top priorities has been the eradication of terrorism throughout the world. In response to the horrific bombing of the World Trade Center Towers, the United States declared a global war on terrorism. As American, we view ourselves as the “moral compass” of the world. We are the defenders of honor and justice and have taken upon ourselves the responsibility of eliminating what we determine to be terrorism and evil anywhere in the world. Yet, what gives us the right to decide what is wrong or right for the whole world? Is our sense of value and morality the world standard? Is our point of view the only right one? When the U.S. dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, some people believed the actions to be acts of terrorism; others believed them to be the salvation of many lives and the pivotal event that led to the end of World War II. Yet if we apply the definition of terrorism that we used for the September 11th bombings, the killing of civilians who couldn’t defend themselves and had no warning of what was about to happen, then how was the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki any different?