Preview features peek at museum

Traveling project will tell African-American story

Mic Smith
The Post and Courier

Ethel Taylor (left) and Gloria Deas read about the 'America I AM' exhibit that offers insight on African-American history. A preview was at Marion Square on Monday.

"America I AM: The African American Imprint" will be a touring museum designed to show the impact of blacks on development of the United States. Its preview exhibit, now visiting 40 cities, stopped at Marion Square on Monday.

The preview promises that the museum, set to tour from November through 2012, will provide a rare opportunity to consider the depth and breadth of African-American influence on the nation. From what I saw, it should deliver.

The exhibition will tell the story of black Americans from slavery to contemporary times. Its use of artifacts, photographs, narration, music and video through 12 galleries over 15,000 square feet should provide visitors with an informative experience.

The Smiley Group, a communications corporation of television host Tavis Smiley, and the Cincinnati Museum Center jointly are developing the exhibition. Their production responds to the question once posed by W.E.B. Du Bois, "Would America have been America without her Negro people?"

Reasonably well-informed adults over 45 may find that much of what is presented will prompt them to recall things they learned early in life. Younger people who may only be familiar with black history of the last half-century will probably find the exhibition eye-opening.

The preview includes many whose accomplishments for decades have inspired blacks to achieve and have confidence. They include George Washington Carver, Langston Hughes and Ralph Bunche.

As I read letters and notes by some, I could not help but wonder if they were frustrated by the limited number of people who understood their

experiences. I thought about the almost unreal strength of character they must have possessed to live such exemplary lives and found that although they are not mentioned so much anymore, they are still inspirations.

The preview made me want to know more about what will be included in the full exhibit. I hope to see more representation of Lowcountry blacks and that those from this area who were among the first to serve in the Union Army will be included.

The traveling museum, which will tour 11 major cities, could be the perfect opportunity to provide a fuller, more-balanced picture of blacks in the South.

Reach Wevonneda Minis at 937-5705 or wminis@postandcourier.com.