The National Museum of African American History & Culture is Now Open

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet because it's a pretty big deal. The Smithsonian institution has opened the National Museum of African American History & Culture, the first of its kind, on the National Mall next to the Washington Monument.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a Smithsonian Institution museum established in December 2003 and opened in September 2016. The museum's building, designed by David Adjaye, is on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. Wikipedia

It's an event here in DC to commemorate its opening including concerts, speeches, festivals, and more. I'm not sure of the significance of the opening date of 9/24/16 but there was a brief mention of an event 100 years ago; I didn't catch all of it. There has been a major effort to complete this museum since George W. Bush signed the legislation for it to be built back in 2001. Now it's complete for everyone to enjoy as this is part of Americam history. About time or not that significant? What say you, ATS?

nmaahc.si.edu...

a reply to: lostbook


I believe 'The National Museum of African American History & Culture' matters.

In all seriousness though, it's a massive part of American history and culture, so its presence is needed to remind people what humans are capable of.

a reply to: lostbook

Now it's complete for everyone to enjoy as this is part of Americam history. About time or not that significant? What say you, ATS?

Depends on the exhibits. Will it show the truth of endemic racism?

Before you flame me, is there a link to the exhibits or do I have to go there?

images

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: lostbook

Now it's complete for everyone to enjoy as this is part of Americam history. About time or not that significant? What say you, ATS?

Depends on the exhibits. Will it show the truth of endemic racism?

Before you flame me, is there a link to the exhibits or do I have to go there?

images

I posted a link to the website for the museum. You can explore the exhibits there.

a reply to: lostbook

Silly me, I looked, didn't see the link to exhibits (?)

a reply to: intrptr

Try "menu" and then "collections."

a reply to: Shamrock6

Menu, then explore, then exhibitions or collections, thanks.

Looking forward to visiting...

I was in dc in July and saw the building was still under construction.

I would not have visited the museum even if it was open.

If the intention is to promote culture, I don't understand why we need a black history museum and one for the rest of the cultures.

a reply to: lostbook

I'd visit in a heartbeat if I was over there

African American History & Culture has influenced world culture too. For all the atrocities of the Triangular Trade, its saving grace has been disseminating music and vibrancy to what might otherwise have been pretty fricken dull.

The blues, rhythm & blues, rock n roll, torch songs and soul music. I wouldn't want to live without them.

a reply to: Kandinsky

Exactly!

There is nothing wrong with having this museum. African-Americans have, since before there was an America, enriched our culture in magnificent fashion. Though I have my doubts as to hip-hop, but that could just be me being old.

...and I'll be living within reasonable driving distance in the next couple of years. I'll be checking it out.

a reply to: seagull

Though I have my doubts as to hip-hop, but that could just be me being old.

I deliberately left it out

As an outsider looking in to America, I can say that this is just another attempt of division. Yes African Americans, or people who once many years ago had ancestors who came from Africa, have a story to tell. However, the main story at the moment is why they are still set apart - and set themselves apart - from the rest of the US.

What would have been more productive is a museum of the contribution and history of all races and peoples in shaping America, from the white skinned lot that came from Europe, the slightly darker skinned lot that came from North Africa, the Middle East and all the way to India Then there's the ones with slightly different facial features that came from China, Japan and the East Indies. Then those with the higher cheekbones that came from (er), blah, blah. Ah, not to mention those people actually living in North America when it all began as these people seem to have been fuzzed out of US history, but probably have a small museum somewhere with a few bones and a mannequin with a feathered hat and a plastic tomahawk.

It seems to me somewhat racist to keep one bunch apart and special just because they won't, or cannot, or are not allowed to participate and integrate. It's a two way street.

a reply to: paraphi

There are museums dedicated to just about every topic under the sun here in the States. It's only divisive if you allow it to be.

I look at it this way...

One more really cool museum to visit when I relocate next year. I'll just have to make the trip one more day, at least...so many museums, so much to learn.

I think my way of looking at it is a good way. Nothing divisive about it.

a reply to: paraphi

We already have a National History Museum. There's also a National Museum of American Indian that is far more than just "a few bones and a mannequin with a feathered hat and a plastic tomahawk." In fact it's one of the best museums in DC.

What I don't understand though.. is that from a simply organisational standpoint it messes with the categorical dynamics of the whole "system" of museums.. (Is there a system of museums? I mean this is state sponsored stuff right?) It doesn't make sense to have a Native American or African American exhibit when there isn't other ethnic exhibitions. It's too arbitrary and asymmetrical, too disorderly. They have to do something about that, that's the real problem here.

But there probably is no official system of museums and probably no official guide for how they should present their stuff. So.. the problem will continue. If we're gonna live in a civilised society we need order people! We don't need to be aiding the forces of disorder ignorantly like this do we?

originally posted by: TheLaughingGod
What I don't understand though.. is that from a simply organisational standpoint it messes with the categorical dynamics of the whole "system" of museums.. (Is there a system of museums? I mean this is state sponsored stuff right?) It doesn't make sense to have a Native American or African American exhibit when there isn't other ethnic exhibitions. It's too arbitrary and asymmetrical, too disorderly. They have to do something about that, that's the real problem here.

But there probably is no official system of museums and probably no official guide for how they should present their stuff. So.. the problem will continue. If we're gonna live in a civilised society we need order people! We don't need to be aiding the forces of disorder ignorantly like this do we?

There are 19 Smithsonian Museums in Washington Dc with 12 of them on the National Mall.

Here's a list of museums:

Anacostia Community Museum African American culture[8] Washington, D.C.

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (Part of the National Museum of Asian Art) Asian art[9] Washington, D.C.

Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation

National Mall 1881[10]

Freer Gallery of Art (Part of the National Museum of Asian Art) Asian art[9] Washington, D.C.

National Mall 1923[9]

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Contemporary and modern art[12] Washington, D.C.

National Mall 1974[12]

National Air and Space Museum Aviation and spaceflight history[13] Washington, D.C.

National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Aviation and spaceflight history[14] Chantilly, Virginia 2003[14]

National Museum of African American History and Culture African-American history and culture[15] Washington, D.C.

National Museum of African Art African art[16] Washington, D.C.

National Museum of American History American history[17] Washington, D.C.

National Museum of the American Indian Native American history and art[18] Washington, D.C.

National Museum of Natural History Natural history[21] Washington, D.C.

National Portrait Gallery Portraiture[22] Washington, D.C.

National Postal Museum United States Postal Service; postal history; philately[24] Washington, D.C.

Renwick Gallery American craft and decorative arts[25] Washington, D.C.

Smithsonian American Art Museum American art[25] Washington, D.C.

Smithsonian Institution Building Visitor center and offices[26] Washington, D.C.

National Zoological Park (National Zoo) Zoo[27] Washington, D.C.

originally posted by: lostbook

originally posted by: TheLaughingGod
What I don't understand though.. is that from a simply organisational standpoint it messes with the categorical dynamics of the whole "system" of museums.. (Is there a system of museums? I mean this is state sponsored stuff right?) It doesn't make sense to have a Native American or African American exhibit when there isn't other ethnic exhibitions. It's too arbitrary and asymmetrical, too disorderly. They have to do something about that, that's the real problem here.

But there probably is no official system of museums and probably no official guide for how they should present their stuff. So.. the problem will continue. If we're gonna live in a civilised society we need order people! We don't need to be aiding the forces of disorder ignorantly like this do we?

There are 19 Smithsonian Museums in Washington Dc with 12 of them on the National Mall.

Here's a list of museums:

Anacostia Community Museum African American culture[8] Washington, D.C.

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (Part of the National Museum of Asian Art) Asian art[9] Washington, D.C.

Arts and Industries Building Closed for renovation

National Mall 1881[10]

Freer Gallery of Art (Part of the National Museum of Asian Art) Asian art[9] Washington, D.C.

National Mall 1923[9]

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Contemporary and modern art[12] Washington, D.C.

National Mall 1974[12]

National Air and Space Museum Aviation and spaceflight history[13] Washington, D.C.

National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Aviation and spaceflight history[14] Chantilly, Virginia 2003[14]

National Museum of African American History and Culture African-American history and culture[15] Washington, D.C.

National Museum of African Art African art[16] Washington, D.C.

National Museum of American History American history[17] Washington, D.C.

National Museum of the American Indian Native American history and art[18] Washington, D.C.

National Museum of Natural History Natural history[21] Washington, D.C.

National Portrait Gallery Portraiture[22] Washington, D.C.

National Postal Museum United States Postal Service; postal history; philately[24] Washington, D.C.

Renwick Gallery American craft and decorative arts[25] Washington, D.C.

Smithsonian American Art Museum American art[25] Washington, D.C.

Smithsonian Institution Building Visitor center and offices[26] Washington, D.C.

National Zoological Park (National Zoo) Zoo[27] Washington, D.C.

The difference with the new museum is that it's the first African American museum on the National Mall.

I just wish everything wasn't constantly seen through the lens of racism. It's getting to be a little much now, it has become the big question of our age. In the West at least.