__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
It will be interesting to see if the Museum will morph into a slave SCV OR become a vehicle for playing unpon the guilt feelings of white liberals.
Almost certainly another stone, in the foundation of future reparation claims.
You seem to consider the idea that such acts like the expression of regret by Virginia and this museum could be (or will be) used in some future action to force reparations from all the citizens of the US or some such.
I'm curious, why do you feel that way?
Sincerely,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
There should be such a thing as the US National Slavery Museum, just as there should be a Museum of the Confederacy. they should be there to preserve parts of our history, and tell that history. Isn't that the purpose of musuems- to preserve, to teach, to promote truth? If such a place has another purpose, say primarily to entertain or to make money, or to promote controversy, is that the goal of a museum? Maybe then the 'museum' should be a 'theatre' or a 'circus'. Our museums are precious to our heritage. When they start serving other purposes, they are no longer beholden to the truth and are no longer museums. Has that day come?
__________________ 'It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag'
I am in total agreement with your post. Thoughtful and well said, if I may add.
Sincerely,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
As am I, but a museum, unless adequately endowed, must earn its own keep. If plain honest history doesn't cut it, then another way to draw crowds and revenue is required.
Recently visited the Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Had the same old facts on file and appropriate relics on display, but they added amazing theatrics and presentations that examined history in a way to make the Oscars envious.
Every township of note within 3 hours of the place has at least two annual bus trips scheduled. We went on a particularly blustery weekend in March, and still had to wait until the next showing to get into a few of them.
A most satisfactory collection of entertaining history. It's new, so probably hasn't paid back the investment yet, but I'll predict that it will have paid for itself shortly, and start returning sustainable revenue.
One feature (I know its been mentioned before) I was particularly enthralled with was a long winding hall with posters, blowups of documents, debates, etc. Stand in front of one and you hear the narrative. While this is going on 20 or 30 other people are hearing their own separate narratives. Move and the narrative changes to the one you are reading. You can't hear all the others, just the one you're facing. An acoustical masterpiece.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
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