John F. Kennedy Library Foundation’s Post

As far back as 1915, there had been proposals for a museum recognizing the achievements of African Americans. In 1929, President Herbert Hoover approved a commission to create such an institution, but it never received funding. Various attempts were made to pass legislation establishing a museum through Congress, including multiple bills introduced by Georgia congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, but even after the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution joined the effort in the 1990s it still took more than a decade. Finally, in 2003, Congress approved and President George W. Bush signed legislation allocating $17 million to plan the museum and choose a site. Eventually, it was decided that the museum would sit on the National Mall, the newest addition to what is literally a long line of museums stretching from the Washington Monument to the Capitol. The final design, however, was like nothing else in the area: an inverted step pyramid, encased in a bronze screen that references historic iron grilles from African American communities in Charleston, South Carolina and New Orleans, Louisiana. The building rises five stories into the air and reaches equally deep underground. More than 15 years after it was first established, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on the National Mall on September 24, 2016. Barack Obama, the nation’s first African American president, led the ceremony and officially opens the museum by ringing the Freedom Bell, a bell from an African American Baptist church founded in 1776. The NMAAHC drew 2.4 million visitors in its first full year of operation and is the world’s largest museum dedicated to African American history and culture. https://nmaahc.si.edu/ #BlackHistoryMonth

Excerpt from “Seventeen Ways” by Seibles Tim: Be here with them for a moment. Open your eyes. Try to remember what has been won, what it means after all the madness, to see the doors everywhere finally open. Check out our most recent VIA+ post to read more about the EOMR Memorial!

Today is #Juneteenth. On the anniversary of the executive decree, may we educate ourselves on the rich and complex history of the day: https://lnkd.in/e8tS6iTQ

🎉 Next month marks the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, a pivotal moment in the fight for civil rights and equality in education. While this decision aimed to dismantle the "separate but equal" doctrine, its legacy is complex and far-reaching. I recently had the pleasure of teaching my students about this intricate legacy during our February Black History Month culture and diversity lessons. The immediate backlash following the decision led to the unjust removal of educators of color from the education industry for decades, perpetuating systemic racism and inequality. This is most evident in the persistent lack of diversity within the education sector. Before Brown v Board of Education, there were thousands of highly qualified Black and Brown teachers in segregated schools across the nation. However, following the decision, many of these schools were shut down, and there was a nationwide mass firing of Black and Brown educators. Despite their equal or even superior qualifications, they were often not hired in the newly integrated schools. Some districts even refused to integrate and instead closed all their schools for a few years. As with many aspects of society, representation matters. The absence of educators of color likely discouraged students of color from pursuing education degrees, further exacerbating the lack of diversity in the profession. This vicious cycle has been perpetuated for 70 years. As we celebrate progress, it's crucial to acknowledge and confront the ongoing echoes of this racist backlash that still reverberate today. Let's honor this anniversary by learning and sharing the accurate history, while also reaffirming our commitment to creating inclusive and equitable educational environments for all. #BrownvBoard #CivilRights #InclusiveEducation #EducationForAll 📚✊🏾

Juneteenth (June 19th) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.   Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. June 19th officially became a federal holiday in 2021.   I encourage you to read more about Juneteenth here: The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth | National Museum of African American History and Culture (si.edu) (See below) Also, here is some of the text from the Emancipation Proclamation:   "That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom” Abraham Lincoln     You should know this, but if not, The Emancipation Proclamation did not lead to the Civil War. The Civil War started two years earlier in 1861, primarily over disagreements over slavery, and ended in 1865.

Using the Toward Liberation guide, we've helped leaders explore how the Cultures of Liberation and Dominance handle discomfort differently. The Culture of Dominance often encourages us to suppress and ignore our emotions, leading to unconscious reactions. The Culture of Liberation urges us to recognize and reflect on our emotional response, responding with purpose and integrity. This awareness is crucial for leaders (with power and authority) working to align their values of justice and equity to their everyday actions.

I've learned much from k. kennedy Whiters, AIA over the past few years, and I learn more all the time. If you'd like a vital and highly relevant perspective on race in history and historic preservation, check out her new publication on Substack.

Catch our new #Rays podcast at the link below #raysup #heretostay

Preservation easements can be such powerful tools as we seek to permanently preserve important events in US history.