I remember when the newly rebuilt Detroit's Museum of African American History opened for the first time. They decided to stay open for 24 hours, so everyone would have a chance to see what was then the largest museum of its kind. My wife and I had just left a fraternity ball, so we were dressed to the nines. It was PACKED. Executives, tradesmen, hairdressers, students, players, pimps, and hustlers.
Walked by a woman I thought I knew from somewhere. Turned out to be Lani Guinier.
Almost ten years later the museum was on hard times. Attendance fell far short of expectations, and funding sources were as dry as a bone. The curator approached the City of Detroit to step in, but the city is facing its own budget crisis. So what happens?
The great (I'm sorry, make that Great) Judge Damon Keith steps up to the plate.
Dr.Charles Wright leading Gynecologist;the founder started the museum in a duplex that also was his office.Coleman A. Young then Mayor lead the charge to create the museum as we now know it.Its are responsibility to keep it alive.Both Men are gone but their spirit live's on.
Posted by: tootsie at April 20, 2004 10:03 AM
Damn. Detroiters have a great deal to be proud about. I've been thinking about black history museums and a little bit about black history in general. Blunt caption, too narrow. More later.
I loved that museum and was there when it just opened about 10 years ago. I had flown across to California to fetch my wife and was driving back to NYC. I only had one problem with the place - it was too crowded.
Posted by: cobb at April 11, 2004 05:46 PM