Director's Note: Museums Can be a Light in the Darkness
Museums Can be a Light in the Darkness:
Reflections on Charlottesville
“I, too, sing America.”
This is the first line of Poet Langston Hughes poem I, Too, and in the wake of what happened in Charlottesville and the unrest that seems to be brewing across the country, I feel compelled to talk about cultural identity and the place of museums and art in this uncertain time.
Institutions like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the recently opened National Museum of African American History and Culture have a clear direction, mission and message when it comes to exploring culture and history. A statement by the Holocaust Museum includes, “Holocaust history teaches that the targeting of Jews was central to Nazi racist ideology and that it began with hateful rhetoric…the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires leaders and citizens worldwide to confront hate, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity.”
The National Museum of African American History and Culture used the event to educate the public about the history of Confederate monuments, noting that it is “not surprising to find that the dedication of Confederate monuments spiked in two distinct time periods: the first two decades of the 20th century and the 1950s and ‘60s.” During the first period, states were passing Jim Crow laws intended to disenfranchise African Americans. The second period is during the Civil Rights movement. The museum concludes its statement with this: “It is often easier to take our attention away from the harsh realities of history. At the National Museum of African American History and Culture, we are committed to bringing history—with all of its pain and its promise—front and center. Only when we illuminate the dark corners and tell the unvarnished truth can we learn history’s lessons and bridge the gaps that divide us.”
As I mentioned, these two museums have a distinct clear mission and message. Museums like Piedmont Arts can also play a role in fostering understanding and creating dialogue around race, culture and history. Currently on display in our galleries is Indigenous: The Art of The American Indian featuring Trail of Tears with Protest Roll of 1837. In past years, we have explored Latino/Hispanic culture and the culture and customs of India. The museum has brought actor Mike Wiley to explore some of the most painful periods of our past through his plays about Emmet Till, Jackie Robinson and Brown vs. Board of Education. In March 2018, we will explore the topic of juvenile justice as we partner with Richmond’s Art 180 for a special exhibit.
At Piedmont Arts, we disavow any form of racism, bigotry and violence and hope we can be a beacon in the community to shed light on our various cultures and, as our mission states, engage and inspire our community through visual arts, performing arts and educational outreach.
I leave you with Langston Hughes beautiful and timely poem, I Too…
This is the first line of Poet Langston Hughes poem I, Too, and in the wake of what happened in Charlottesville and the unrest that seems to be brewing across the country, I feel compelled to talk about cultural identity and the place of museums and art in this uncertain time.
Institutions like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the recently opened National Museum of African American History and Culture have a clear direction, mission and message when it comes to exploring culture and history. A statement by the Holocaust Museum includes, “Holocaust history teaches that the targeting of Jews was central to Nazi racist ideology and that it began with hateful rhetoric…the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires leaders and citizens worldwide to confront hate, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity.”
The National Museum of African American History and Culture used the event to educate the public about the history of Confederate monuments, noting that it is “not surprising to find that the dedication of Confederate monuments spiked in two distinct time periods: the first two decades of the 20th century and the 1950s and ‘60s.” During the first period, states were passing Jim Crow laws intended to disenfranchise African Americans. The second period is during the Civil Rights movement. The museum concludes its statement with this: “It is often easier to take our attention away from the harsh realities of history. At the National Museum of African American History and Culture, we are committed to bringing history—with all of its pain and its promise—front and center. Only when we illuminate the dark corners and tell the unvarnished truth can we learn history’s lessons and bridge the gaps that divide us.”
As I mentioned, these two museums have a distinct clear mission and message. Museums like Piedmont Arts can also play a role in fostering understanding and creating dialogue around race, culture and history. Currently on display in our galleries is Indigenous: The Art of The American Indian featuring Trail of Tears with Protest Roll of 1837. In past years, we have explored Latino/Hispanic culture and the culture and customs of India. The museum has brought actor Mike Wiley to explore some of the most painful periods of our past through his plays about Emmet Till, Jackie Robinson and Brown vs. Board of Education. In March 2018, we will explore the topic of juvenile justice as we partner with Richmond’s Art 180 for a special exhibit.
At Piedmont Arts, we disavow any form of racism, bigotry and violence and hope we can be a beacon in the community to shed light on our various cultures and, as our mission states, engage and inspire our community through visual arts, performing arts and educational outreach.
I leave you with Langston Hughes beautiful and timely poem, I Too…
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.
Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—
I, too, am America.
Copyright © 1926
Director's Note is a monthly blog by Piedmont Arts Executive Director Kathy Rogers, examining the impact of the arts in our community. Contact Kathy at kathyrogers@piedmontarts.org.
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