Among the Greco-Roman marble buildings on the National Mall stands a unique building. Three bronze pyramidal tiers rise from the base, and tour over museumgoers. The distinctive architecture of the National Museum of African American History and Culture is inspired by the three-tiered crown motif portrayed in Yoruban art. Within the museum, artifacts are displayed over five floors of galleries. The exhibits are placed in chronological order, the basement addressing the early beginnings of the African slave trade and the second floor, which concludes the history section, addressing the black lives matter movement. Departing from the chronological narrative, the third and fourth floors are dedicated to the achievements of black people in America.
…show more content…
While many historians may refer to it as a branch of American history, it is better described as the roots of this country’s past. Therefore, when I initially heard about the opening of a National Museum of African American History and Culture, I expected a comprehensive history of African Americans beginning from the first Africans to arrive in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619 and ending with the present condition of black people in the nation. However, I also anticipated that there would be mention of white oppression and white supremacy throughout history. To understand the triumph of African Americans one must know their oppressor. Beyond the specific history the museum is dedicated to, I had basic expectations that are applied to every museum. To be a successful museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture would have to satisfy the following questions: Is it educational in a ê3ay the general public can comprehend? Are the artifacts being used to portray a story? Does it have any entertainment …show more content…
Its faults rest in what it neglects to address. The most evident flaw is the name of the museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The term African-American is not inclusive to black people in America who do not come from Africa, and instead come from places like Jamaica. Like white people, there are millions of places in the world black people come from. The name completely disregards the black people originally from the Caribbean who were taken into slavery. Another, probably more common, complaint about the museum is they way it glazes over white oppression. While it emphasizes the persistence of black people in America to preserver under oppression, it does not address where this oppression came from. The only image of white oppression was the single display of a KKK robe. Very little is said when it comes to the role of the government or the general white public at large oppressing African-Americans. This is most likely due to the fact that the government, which is predominantly white, funds the Smithsonian and that the Smithsonian is a reflection of the government. Also, many of the largest donors to the museum are white, and whoever finances the museum has the ability to dictate what stories are told and what are not. As time passes, hopefully the National Museum of African American History and Culture will
While many historians may refer to it as a branch of American history, it is better described as the roots of this country’s past. Therefore, when I initially heard about the opening of a National Museum of African American History and Culture, I expected a comprehensive history of African Americans beginning from the first Africans to arrive in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619 and ending with the present condition of black people in the nation. However, I also anticipated that there would be mention of white oppression and white supremacy throughout history. To understand the triumph of African Americans one must know their oppressor. Beyond the specific history the museum is dedicated to, I had basic expectations that are applied to every museum. To be a successful museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture would have to satisfy the following questions: Is it educational in a ê3ay the general public can comprehend? Are the artifacts being used to portray a story? Does it have any entertainment …show more content…
Its faults rest in what it neglects to address. The most evident flaw is the name of the museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The term African-American is not inclusive to black people in America who do not come from Africa, and instead come from places like Jamaica. Like white people, there are millions of places in the world black people come from. The name completely disregards the black people originally from the Caribbean who were taken into slavery. Another, probably more common, complaint about the museum is they way it glazes over white oppression. While it emphasizes the persistence of black people in America to preserver under oppression, it does not address where this oppression came from. The only image of white oppression was the single display of a KKK robe. Very little is said when it comes to the role of the government or the general white public at large oppressing African-Americans. This is most likely due to the fact that the government, which is predominantly white, funds the Smithsonian and that the Smithsonian is a reflection of the government. Also, many of the largest donors to the museum are white, and whoever finances the museum has the ability to dictate what stories are told and what are not. As time passes, hopefully the National Museum of African American History and Culture will