We are living in a time of moral reckoning with the past. Beyond Confederate monuments and memorials, people are also reevaluating the work, beliefs and reputations of progressive figures.
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There has long been a critique in academic circles — and, more recently, in journalistic ones — about the role of race and exclusion in the wilderness and national park movements. The parks were designed as preserves for elite whites so they could escape urban life and enjoy a privileged, exclusive experience in nature. The railroads played a key role in boosting the parks and their lodges for an exclusive clientele.