Smithsonian's Museum of African American History & Culture

[AvantGuardHoya]

As many of you already know, the Smithsonian opened its newest marvel this past Saturday, the Museum of African American History and Culture, with a ceremony which included Presidents Obama and Bush, Chief Justice Roberts, as well as civil rights icon Georgia Representative John Lewis. C-SPAN broadcast both a two hour preview and the opening event. Below are links to the broadcasts. Note that they require Adobe Flash. I’ve included additional print links which you may find interesting. Behold our newest treasure:

www.c-span.org/video/?415014-2/preview-national-museum-african-american-history-culture-grand-opening

www.c-span.org/video/?415014-1/smithsonian-national-museum-african-american-history-culture-opens-dc

www.yahoo.com/news/smithsonian-museum-african-american-history-171015104/photo-smithsonian-museum-of-african-american-1474833196917.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma

www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/lifestyle/national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture/guided-tour/?wpisrc=nl_evening&wpmm=1

www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/2016/09/22/ce3e838a-76a9-11e6-b786-19d0cb1ed06c_story.html?wpisrc=nl_gogthu&wpmm=1

[SirSaxa]

Are you planning to visit soon AGH? Nice to see so many positive comments about it. I believe Rep. Lewis was one of those leading the way in support of this project - for 15 years or so! Finally done. I look forward to seeing it on a future visit to DC.

[AvantGuardHoya]

Sept 26, 2016 10:53:26 GMT -5 SirSaxa said:

Are you planning to visit soon AGH? Nice to see so many positive comments about it. I believe Rep. Lewis was one of those leading the way in support of this project - for 15 years or so! Finally done. I look forward to seeing it on a future visit to DC.

I absolutely intend to visit! Tickets are free and prior to its opening, advance timed entry passes were distributed through ETIX. Demand has been so great that the Museum has temporarily stopped issuing those, as they're booked into December! Note, though, that as of today you can get same day timed passes at the Museum. Be forewarned, however, that there will be very large crowds and extended wait times. Talk about a hot ticket!! Kinda what it's gon be like tryin' to see da Hoyas fa sho'!!!

[Deleted]

Watched the ceremony this weekend and saw some pics, very impressive. Obama delivered a great speech as usual but was equally impressed with George Bush's. The former President deserves a lot of credit for pushing this museum so please allow me to give him some here..

[tashoya]

I'm really looking forward to visiting next time I make it down to DC. I really want to check this out too which, according to the article, will be playing for the first year:

deadline.com/2016/09/ava-duvernay-new-film-smithsonian-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture-don-cheadle-angela-bassett-lupita-nyoungo-1201823922/

[kchoya]

Sad.

In light of his personal story, and his legacy on the Court, one would have expected, or at least hoped, to see some mention of Justice Thomas in the Smithsonian's new museum. But unfortunately that's not the case: The new museum ignores him altogether, as Mark Paoletta explains in the Hill:

The slight is especially glaring because this month marks the 25th anniversary of his arrival on the Supreme Court. In that time, Justice Thomas has established a reputation as quite simply one of the most important legal thinkers of his generation. Justice Thomas' story of his rise from poverty to the Supreme Court should be known by all Americans.

... Unfortunately, by ignoring the contributions of Justice Thomas, the National Museum of African American History and Culture implies that there's no room for a black man who dares to challenge conventional wisdom of the Left. It also ensures that visitors will learn nothing about one of our nation's most significant jurists.

www.weeklystandard.com/at-new-smithsonian-museum-justice-thomas-is-an-invisible-man/article/2004712

[hilltopper2000]

He definitely merits inclusion as an important historical figure. But with all due respect to the Justice (who is, contrary to his critics' claims, an impressive legal thinker), this is simply untrue: "In that time, Justice Thomas has established a reputation as quite simply one of the most important legal thinkers of his generation." I would love Mark to explain who exactly Justice Thomas has influenced with his legal theories and approach to interpretation. Rather, Justice Thomas is notable largely for being such an outlier. (Note that the article suggests Hill has been discredited, which his also untrue. Recent biographies of Justice Thomas have identified more evidence largely affirming her story. Not that this reduces his significance in history one iota.)

[Elvado]

Regardless of one's views on his worthiness for or performance on the bench at the Supreme Court, there have been two African American Supreme Court Justices. Ignoring one of them in this Museum is inexcusable. Period.

[thebin]

Is it possible he's not included because he's 1. alive and 2. still active on the Court? I would expect they would have to have some mention of the current president though. But to me there is something icky about memorializing people who are still alive. I'm always embarrassed for people who wear shirts with Obama's face on it. Its so bush league/banana republic.

[EtomicB]

Oct 6, 2016 10:04:34 GMT -5 Elvado said:

Regardless of one's views on his worthiness for or performance on the bench at the Supreme Court, there have been two African American Supreme Court Justices. Ignoring one of them in this Museum is inexcusable. Period.

So you think he should be in based on his appointment alone?

I could make the argument for Thurgood Marshall being included in the museum due to his work on the Brown v. Board of education..

What stands out about Thomas?

[kchoya]

Oct 6, 2016 12:48:25 GMT -5 EtomicB said:

Oct 6, 2016 10:04:34 GMT -5 Elvado said:

Regardless of one's views on his worthiness for or performance on the bench at the Supreme Court, there have been two African American Supreme Court Justices. Ignoring one of them in this Museum is inexcusable. Period.

So you think he should be in based on his appointment alone?

I could make the argument for Thurgood Marshall being included in the museum due to his work on the Brown v. Board of education..

What stands out about Thomas?

If he was a liberal justice he would have a large exhibit devoted to him.

The exclusion is especially odd given Thomas’ intimate experience with racial discrimination.