Celebrating Black History and Love Month Through Knowledge: A Review of the African American Museum
Posted: Monday, February 16, 2009
by Ronyae
Writings by Ronyae
A high school classmate invited me to the Charles H. Wright African American Museum in Detroit. Seeing an opportunity to get an article out of the museum visit, and the fact that the tickets were complimentary, I jumped to the chance. But little did I know that the trip to the museum that day would actually change my life.
Flags of Trade (AAM)
As we entered the building, we immediately fell in awe at the wonders the Ford Freedom Rotunda held: flags lined the vaulted ceiling, but not ordinary flags of countries around the world. These flags represented countries that were involved in the slave trade. Now, I know that I may sound like someone who didn't pay attention in class, but I actually did. And to see these flags hanging as symbols of knowledge about the history of our ancestors, opened my eyes in ways I would have never guessed. See, it's one thing to hear about something historical, one thing to be educated on it, and an altogether different type of knowledge is formed when you feel as if you've lived through it, from the eyes of another person, or maybe from a storyteller. The Charles H. Wright African American Museum gives its visitors a story that shall never be forgotten.
In addition to the flags, located on the floor of the Ford Freedom Rotunda, is Genealogy, a work designed by a local artist, Hubert Massey. The creation depicts the struggles of African Americans in America. Each figure is symbolic of an experience, from slavery to present day violence, the hunger for knowledge, the importance of spirituality and the upward mobility of African Americans. Surrounding this 37-foot floor are bronze nameplates of prominent African Americans in history. As I stood around the ring of 'spirits' with a group of 8th graders, I felt as if I was a student as well, learning of the many contributors to Black History. An added bonus were the staff members dressed in African and Egyptian attire for the other exhibits in the museum.
Learning even more in-depth knowledge of King Tut and the Egyptians was exciting, but the most compelling exhibit was "And Still We Rise". The 22,000 square-foot exhibition space contains more than 20 galleries that allow visitors to travel over time and across geographic boundaries.
People let me tell you, this exhibit had me so emotional. I was literally in tears and choked up as we walked through the exhibit, seeing how human beings were being treated; imprisoned, shackled and crammed into the belly of a ship. Let me give you a more clear picture of what we seen and experienced through the eyes of the people who had to endure these cruel actions and ways of life.
As we gathered information on the early life in Africa, we followed the exhibit trail to what looks like a stone-walled castle. At first you think you are just going to pass through this, but as you step more into the room, you see a makeshift jail, with black figures chained to the floors; I hurriedly tried to past the horrid images, but found myself on a ship. Yes, a ship. The exhibit is truly life-like. I read some information on how the ship was operated and what the life was like for the captive passengers. Now, when I read the information, I agreed that the idea to make the area look and feel like an actual ship was ingenious...but as we noticed some stairs descending into another part of the ship, we began to hesitate. I don't know what it was, but my stomach didn't feel all too good. It was as if I was literally getting seasick. We continued on down the stairs to find ourselves face to face with bodies of slaves packed like tuna throughout the entire belly of the ship. OMG, people I felt lightheaded. I wanted to turn around, run outside into the sunlight. Anywhere that would ensure me that I wasn't actually reliving this nightmare! But I didn't run. I just wiped the tears, cleared my throat and kept on going...and still we rise!
As we continued through the exhibition, I felt more admiration than pity for my said ancestors. The exhibits that showed how these slaves were forced to live in tattered living spaces and limited to utilize public facilities, gave me a newfound sense of pride to know that even through the worst of times and situations, these people never gave up. These ridiculed, abused and controlled people remained in their natural spirits of upliftment. It was like somehow they knew that it wouldn't last forever. It seemed as if they knew that there was hope for a brighter day...even through the Hell of darkened nights.
Nearing the end of the exhibit, we began to see the hardwork of determination shine through. Our exhibit trail led us to the streets of freedom; although focused mainly on the success of blacks in the local Detroit areas. These last steps through the streets of a historical Detroit made me fall in love with my heritage. I am in love with the fact of knowing that no matter how horrible life may seem, there is always that spirit of Faith that lives in all of us to keep going strong; never give up; make a way out of no way. I fell in love with the ancestoral bloodline that may or may not be running through my veins. It is a bloodline of fighters. Not in a violent sense, but in a sense that one should never accept defeat, hard times or cruelty, possibly stemming from misconceptions. These were a people that were tricked into something that later deemed hopeless and lost, but yet - they rise!
And I am proud to be a part of a nation of people that doesn't allow their hardships to define them, but make them stronger! I love myself. An my prayers are with all of you. ~Selah
Flags of Trade (AAM) In addition to the flags, located on the floor of the Ford Freedom Rotunda, is Genealogy, a work designed by a local artist, Hubert Massey. The creation depicts the struggles of African Americans in America. Each figure is symbolic of an experience, from slavery to present day violence, the hunger for knowledge, the importance of spirituality and the upward mobility of African Americans. Surrounding this 37-foot floor are bronze nameplates of prominent African Americans in history. As I stood around the ring of 'spirits' with a group of 8th graders, I felt as if I was a student as well, learning of the many contributors to Black History. An added bonus were the staff members dressed in African and Egyptian attire for the other exhibits in the museum.
Learning even more in-depth knowledge of King Tut and the Egyptians was exciting, but the most compelling exhibit was "And Still We Rise". The 22,000 square-foot exhibition space contains more than 20 galleries that allow visitors to travel over time and across geographic boundaries.
People let me tell you, this exhibit had me so emotional. I was literally in tears and choked up as we walked through the exhibit, seeing how human beings were being treated; imprisoned, shackled and crammed into the belly of a ship. Let me give you a more clear picture of what we seen and experienced through the eyes of the people who had to endure these cruel actions and ways of life.
As we gathered information on the early life in Africa, we followed the exhibit trail to what looks like a stone-walled castle. At first you think you are just going to pass through this, but as you step more into the room, you see a makeshift jail, with black figures chained to the floors; I hurriedly tried to past the horrid images, but found myself on a ship. Yes, a ship. The exhibit is truly life-like. I read some information on how the ship was operated and what the life was like for the captive passengers. Now, when I read the information, I agreed that the idea to make the area look and feel like an actual ship was ingenious...but as we noticed some stairs descending into another part of the ship, we began to hesitate. I don't know what it was, but my stomach didn't feel all too good. It was as if I was literally getting seasick. We continued on down the stairs to find ourselves face to face with bodies of slaves packed like tuna throughout the entire belly of the ship. OMG, people I felt lightheaded. I wanted to turn around, run outside into the sunlight. Anywhere that would ensure me that I wasn't actually reliving this nightmare! But I didn't run. I just wiped the tears, cleared my throat and kept on going...and still we rise!
As we continued through the exhibition, I felt more admiration than pity for my said ancestors. The exhibits that showed how these slaves were forced to live in tattered living spaces and limited to utilize public facilities, gave me a newfound sense of pride to know that even through the worst of times and situations, these people never gave up. These ridiculed, abused and controlled people remained in their natural spirits of upliftment. It was like somehow they knew that it wouldn't last forever. It seemed as if they knew that there was hope for a brighter day...even through the Hell of darkened nights.
Nearing the end of the exhibit, we began to see the hardwork of determination shine through. Our exhibit trail led us to the streets of freedom; although focused mainly on the success of blacks in the local Detroit areas. These last steps through the streets of a historical Detroit made me fall in love with my heritage. I am in love with the fact of knowing that no matter how horrible life may seem, there is always that spirit of Faith that lives in all of us to keep going strong; never give up; make a way out of no way. I fell in love with the ancestoral bloodline that may or may not be running through my veins. It is a bloodline of fighters. Not in a violent sense, but in a sense that one should never accept defeat, hard times or cruelty, possibly stemming from misconceptions. These were a people that were tricked into something that later deemed hopeless and lost, but yet - they rise!
And I am proud to be a part of a nation of people that doesn't allow their hardships to define them, but make them stronger! I love myself. An my prayers are with all of you. ~Selah
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More commentsWow- wish it was closer so I could visit. Sounds like an awesome and inspiring exhibit. I got to see the King Tut exhibit while I was in Germany. It was amazing and worth the price of admission just to see that burial mask.Val,I see you appreciate such great things as I; I'm certain you received something great from visiting that exhibit!Thanks for reading and sharing a comment.
And still I rise. Maya Angelou must feel proud. And, Ronyae, so do I. What a compelling storyteller you are. I am not sure I observed that before and chastise myself for not. You will have to pay for my expenses because you've made me want to visit Detroit to see this museum and visit you! *laughing*
I was there and felt seasick. I put my sandwich aside to finish reading. Thank you for the photograph of the flags of nations participating in the slave trade. Thank you for falling in love with your heritage and proclaiming it! Thank you for a masterful piece of history celebrating Black History.
Hugging life with love,
AvisAvis,As always, my admiration of you grows by the numbers! I appreciate having you as not only a reader, but a member of a family of great and passionate writers! Thanks for reading and sharing a comment...and the compliments :)Stay Blessed!
Ronyae, What an excellent article! I felt like I was there while reading your account. This is an excellent, moving and very important piece. (I had an experience from the Great Blacks in Wax museum in Baltimore that affected me very deeply.) How wonderful it is that museums can take such history and make them "live" for better insight into our pasts. I think there should be more "on the road" exhibitions of our history like this so that people can gain a better understanding of our pasts and learn from them. Thank you for sharing your experience in such detail and with such excellence. Warmly, BarbaraBarbara,Reaing your comment makes me feel that my job has been done :). I appreciate your reading and commenting!Stay Blessed!
Ronyae, beautifully done! I found myself holding my breath while walking down the stairs with you. Thank you for sharing this museum. I would love to visit it some day. Amazing how God created the human spirit! Blessings to you. TeresaTeresa,I couldn't agree with you more! Thanks for reading and sharing a comment.
This was such a dark time in American history and I can only imagine the feelings that you experienced when you visited this exhibit. The only history of the slave trade I remember learning in school was that of "The Underground Railroad". I guess that is because it is also part of Canadian history as well.And then there are the songs, what I used to hear referred to a 'Negro Spirituals'. I love these songs because it makes me realize the faith and fortitude of these courageous people. How could anyone sing and have faith in God, when life around them was so cruel. And yet they did have faith. You should be proud of your heritage and I know you are.Hello David!Oh yes, how sweet the sound...those were songs of determination, Faith and so much more! I appreciate knowing that it touches you as well...thanks for reading and sharing a comment! And yes, I'm very proud of my heritage and being a child of God.
Ronyae, you have me crying like a child here. You describe the experience so vividly that I too began to hesitate on the stairs into another part of the ship. I didn’t know if I wanted to read any further but glad I did.Many of us in Africa never knew about or understood the cruelty of slavery. We actually thought you “Africans” in America were the “lucky ones” because you were now living the “good life”. Then came “Roots” and we were in terrible shock -- and disbelief! More disbelief than anything I am ashamed to say. Then anger followed… then the hunger for the truth.But the story here is not as you so insightfully stated that of bitterness, pain and defeat but of faith, strength, hope and dignity even in death. I am proud too. Especially proud of the “spirit” with which you wrote the article. No traces of anger… lots of insight, awe, humility and pride (in a good way).Thank you for allowing me share this journey with you. Great article!Christine,I am proud to shed these tears of rekindled pride with you!..and just as you, I too had these same travels of knowing about slavery: "...More disbelief than anything I am ashamed to say. Then anger followed… then the hunger for the truth...."Thanks for reading, sharing a comment and reliving a most sacred part of our history!
Ronyae,You described this beautifully. I could almost feel the ship rocking. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.NancyNancy,So you can imagine the sickening feeling I began to have as I thought the ship was actually moving as well!Thanks for reading and sharing a comment!
Well written, I enjoyed it, thank you very much on this.Kerry,Thank you! For not only reading, but sharing a comment and enjoying this as well!Stay Blessed
Ronyae, I agree with Cheryl - I felt like I was there. It sounds like a wonderful exhibit. Thanks for sharing it with us.Lorrie,You're very welcome...and thank you for reading and sharing a comment!
Ronyae,
It is sad, in a way, that we have to celebrate black history month. It points to the bias and prejudice that this country was founded on and, to a great degree, still exists.
I have recently watched and read about the 54th Mass. Regiment, the all-black fighting force in the Civil War and the great bravery, intelligence and camaraderie that they fought with. I have also learned about the 761st, an all black tank division that fought with great skill and bravery in WWII.
Personally, I am a huge fan of the great intellect, writer, poet, activist Martin Luther King. His Letter From Birmingham Jail a great testament to his wisdom and intelligence ( it took me several reads before I was able to do so without crying for the suffering it details). As a college professor, I taught it to students as the perfect essay, one that teaches the reader how to write with logic, passion, detail, tact and purpose of order and presentation.
I have come to know of the great black figures throughout history through their words and brave deeds: Harriet Tubman and her bravery and total selflessness in helping blacks to freedom; Sojourner Truth and her bodacious stinging words of truth and insight; Fredrick Douglas and his genius and bombastic words that filled the hearts of the suffering and the suffered alike; Maya Angelou, a writer, activist, poet, visionary and prophetic seer and calmer of all living in fear and trepidation; and of course, George Washington Carver, Booker T Washington, Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, Langston Hughes, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and more.
We may be saddened by wars, such as the Civil War, but it was at this time that the South and others began to see the bravery, intelligence, and skill of blacks through the acts and deeds of the black soldier. It is too sad that skin color has done so much to degrade individuals. Sadder still is the fact that we know more about many blacks than we know of woman in American History, even white woman. For it was Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton who were almost solely responsible for woman in gaining the right to vote, own property, obtain an education and more. It was Mother Jones, a poor immigrant, who was almost solely responsible for bringing greater rights to workers, children and adults alike. But how many know of these great woman, white woman even.
It is just so sad that race, religion, sex, and other categories have inhibited people from accepting greatness and contribution to society.
Wonderful article, Ronyae, and God bless you and yours.
Jeff,Your comment is so passionate for me ... but not me alone! Thanks for reading and sharing your comment.
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