The power of museums and memorials in reminding viewers that oppression still exists.
by Adrrell Mable HN 300: Art, Politics & Social Justice (Dr McEvoy-Levy) March 6, 2019 Education is a powerful tool if used correctly. Education provides the opportunity to raise awareness about the past in efforts to prevent certain things from happening in the future. Education is powerful in changing the lives of others. Although knowledge of history is required of every student, reading and memorizing words off a page fails to provide the emotions one would feel in attendance to a memorial or museum. Whether it be an interactive element, physical demonstration, physical representation, personal testimony, or a work of art; all aid in educating the viewer. Such methods make history more memorable and evoke certain emotions that may not have existed before. Once exposed, these emotions not only stick with one, but they are the driving force needed to bring about change in society. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum are successful in sharing the history of slavery through many interactive elements and physical representations. Most importantly, both sites expose the truth that so many aim to cover up, but indeed, only the truth will change the future. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice serves primarily as a memorial for African Americans who suffered and died during the civil rights movement, but also as a reminder that oppression still exists in society. It begins with a glimpse back into slavery with chains around the necks, feet, and hands of a group of slaves. Immediately, we see that only one piece of clothing is covering the lower private area of each slave. That within itself is symbolic of how their dignity was taken away as they were considered “human property” instead of human beings (The National Memorial for Peace and Justice 2018). They had nothing but the strength of their minds. Each slave displayed a different emotion which was transferred to the viewer, even if they may not have understood the struggle. However, the first slave stood tall with strength. Even though he had nothing on the outside, every part of him on the inside was ready to fight. He portrayed no fear, like the attitudes of activists who risked their lives for change. They knew their price would pay off in the end. Leading up to the lynching memorial, many narratives were placed on the wall to educate on the civil rights movement and how slavery still existed afterwards. The lynching memorial had an infrastructure that was unique, but successful in raising awareness to viewers. Each stone had a state, county, names, and dates engraved. The stones were arranged in a square with many spaces in between. At first, the stones were planted on the ground, but they soon began to rise, and the ground got steeper as one continued walking. When one got to a certain point, the stones were above their head and the height was very similar to that of an African American being lynched. The viewer had to look up. Overlooking the past was no longer an option. Being surrounded by such atrocities provokes change by forcing viewers to think about the past. Their emotions are developed into new practices that will aim to prevent racial inequality. The inner square of the memorial is line with white flowers. White flowers are significant of rebirth and change, reminding viewers that change is always possible. Even more astounding is the flower garden outside the memorial. One can walk through or sit while absorbing the sweet aroma. A beautiful appearance that emphasizes what could be. The diversity of the flowers is symbolic of society and how we can be all be something beautiful combined if we get past the color of our skin. Similar petitions for change are expressed in the Legacy Museum as the Equal Justice Initiative expounds upon a new type of slavery- mass incarnation. Each separate section in the Legacy museum reveals a different act of oppression that African Americans experienced in the past and are still experiencing today. Although they are separate in structure, their goal towards viewers is the same. They question the common notion that things have changed for the better, and that equality exists for all members of society. Furthermore, they unmask the truth that society fails to realize: the laws have changed, but oppression still exists in subtle ways by those in higher powers. The viewer is taken on a journey from enslavement, to mass incarnation, and lastly, to police brutality. Upon entering the museum, the small, dark room consists of different slave cells, each with a hologram of a slave telling their story. The Equal Justice Initiative does an excellent job of capturing the history of the building and provoking an interaction from its’ viewers. The quiet voices of the slaves forces viewers to get up close, look inside, and listen. Similarly, the telephone visitation center surrounding the idea of mass incarnation forces the viewer to listen to the stories of prisoners. Viewers engage by picking up a phone, just as if they were in a prison telephone visitation center, and listening to the prisoners tell their story. The museum’s usage of personal testimony is significant in moving the emotions of viewers as most slaves are innocent, or giver more time than what is appropriate. A deeper analysis of mass incarnation is expounded upon in the video room about the St. Clair prison located in Springville, Alabama. The prison officers were described as “facilitators of a slaughterhouse,” because they neglect to stop the prisoners from killing each other. Many prisoners are in prison for crimes they didn’t commit, or longer than they should be. Officers facilitate in taking away the one thing African Americans have holding them together- community. Although the killing isn’t being done by the officer, it parallels accordingly to slavery times. The master in change, in this case the officer, is permitting and encouraging the death of many innocent African Americans. Slavery has masked itself in a new form, but ultimately still resulting in the oppression of many innocent people. We, as the viewers, are presented with the inevitable truth- oppression will always exist in some form or fashion if we don’t work towards change. Many individuals have advocated for change more recently, but the influence fails to pass on from generation to generation. Before exiting the museum, we are presented with the legacy of those who risked their lives to get us where we are today. The Legacy Museum contained a bronze room that had three walls lined with people who advocated for change then and now. Not only were they African Americans, but individuals from all ethnicities. The viewer is educated on other ethnicities that are experiencing oppression, not just African Americans. On the fourth wall, a quote by Mary McLeod Bethune is sketched as a call for action. The quote simply says,” If we have the courage and tenacity of our forebears, who stood firmly like a rock against the lash of slavery, we shall find a way to do for our day what they did for theirs” (The Legacy Museum 2018). Above her name was a rectangular mirror box similar to the size of a signature box. Upon reading the quote, the last thing visible to the viewer is both of their feet inside the mirror box. It is significant of their promise to break the cycle of oppression. Standing in a room surrounded by people who fought for change only encourages viewers to fight even harder because they are not alone. It confirms that change is possible; we must continue fighting. Ultimately, we have no excuse. Both sites expand upon two different ideas of oppression but are equal in their message to the viewer. We cannot stop fighting for what was granted to us at birth- our freedom. The strength established in those who fought in the past still exists today- we just have to find it. We must find our voice in a society where some individuals fail to realize that all people are free, no matter the skin color. It is then, and only then, that we as society will obtain equality and peace. Comments are closed.
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