Black museums are the final front in the battle for the preservation of our history. There has been a constant effort to erase or cover our contributions to civilization.
Philanthropists and Historians play a part in this effort. Curriculum in public schools has never been a place where our history can be explored in depth. Thus making Black museums the only institution that will present our story with omissions and distortions. If we don’t support these institutions we stand to lose the last resource that is dedicated to the preservation of history. If that happens we will in effect relegate our children and the children of other races to the distorted and pure falsehoods and, in effect disconnect them from their historical blueprint for how to succeed.
The book The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality by Cheikh Anta Diop presents overwhelming proof that Africa is the origin of civilization with an emphasis on Egypt’s contribution. Dr. Diop also presents evidence to refute many white "scholars" that have published volumes of books and lectures "proving" Egyptians were white and not Africans. Other scholars like Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, have to go around the world giving lectures and presentations to prove that Africa is the origin of civilization, and that the civilizations of the world came to Africa to learn math and science amongst others things. The most recent attempt to erase and/or dilute our history takes place in the state of Texas.
A recent article in The Guardian reports that the right-wing conservatives in Texas are attempting to change the curriculum in textbooks. Proposed changes to the curriculum include changing the name of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade to the Trans-Atlantic "triangular" Trade, accusing the Civil Rights Movement of "unrealistic expectations of equal outcomes", and attempts to compare George Wallace to Martin Luther King because former governor Wallace stood for "White Civil Rights". Though school books have never accurately told our history, these changes take things to another level. If you don't live in Texas you might want to consider this quote from the article: "Texas buys millions of textbooks every year, giving it considerable sway over what publishers print. By some estimates, all but a handful of American states rely on textbooks written to meet the Texas curriculum".
A recent article in The Guardian reports that the right-wing conservatives in Texas are attempting to change the curriculum in textbooks. Proposed changes to the curriculum include changing the name of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade to the Trans-Atlantic "triangular" Trade, accusing the Civil Rights Movement of "unrealistic expectations of equal outcomes", and attempts to compare George Wallace to Martin Luther King because former governor Wallace stood for "White Civil Rights". Though school books have never accurately told our history, these changes take things to another level. If you don't live in Texas you might want to consider this quote from the article: "Texas buys millions of textbooks every year, giving it considerable sway over what publishers print. By some estimates, all but a handful of American states rely on textbooks written to meet the Texas curriculum".
There are over 200 museums that specialize in Black History in America and one in every major city making it very easy to visit one. For the most part our history is presented in a limited, watered-down and, non-threatening way. You very rarely hear anything about Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey, Paul Robeson, Marcus Garvey, Elijah Muhammad, or Ida B. Wells, or the numerous great ancient kings and warriors of Africa. Our history gives us a connection to something worth living up to. With no connection to our history we have no blueprint for achievement. How many of us have any knowledge of what our ancestors were doing 5 or 6 generations ago? During slavery and Reconstruction there were many Black businesspeople, politicians, and spiritual leaders that flourished against impossible odds. How many Black people today find themselves navigating what seems like impossible odds? With no connection to our past a lot of us give up because we don’t know about the blueprint for success embedded within our experience here in America. Audacious Freedom, the exhibit at the African-American Museum of Philadelphia does a great job of showing prominent Black leaders in the business, spiritual, political realm. The great thing about Audacious Freedom is that it focuses on local Black people that lived in Philadelphia from 1776 to 1876. So local Philadelphia residents can learn about people like James Forten or Rev. Richard Allen because these are not people that lived hundreds or thousands of miles away; they lived right here and achieved their success in the same city where we live.
No other institution presents our history on a deeper level than the “I Have A Dream” history we are forced fed every year in school. Not even other museums of history include an in-depth presentation of our history. In addition, let’s not forget that it’s our responsibility to preserve our own history just like every other race of people on the earth. As I mentioned in my article for The Seed, many of these Black museums were started in people’s personal homes and with their own personal money. We already have institutions set up, people have done all of the hard work for us. All we have to do is make sure they have the necessary resources to continue to be the “Good Shepherds” that preserve our history. Peace.
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