Kamsy Alli ‘24, reflects on a the importance of storytelling, art, and artifacts.
“If one minute’s freedom had been offered to me, and I had been told I must die at the end of that minute, I would have taken it.” — Elizabeth Freeman (1744-1829)
This gripping and perceptive quote along with many others like it, adorn the walls of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The many exhibits that spanned across four floors covered topics ranging from slavery, emancipation, segregation, black history and art, black inventors and artists, black feministes, and the impact of black people on popular culture.
An exhibit that I spent a lot of time in was the history gallery that walked through slavery and its lasting effects on black people from the 15th century up to the mid 2000’s.
This was something really nice to see as oftentimes many important facts get omitted from the story. So, for me, it was very gratifying being able to see black people tell their own narratives.
The rich detail in storytelling, and the artifacts and art were really a wonderful thing to behold. It made me proud to be Black and to see how far we’ve come.
Overall the museum was an amazing opportunity for learning which I’m glad I got to experience. And would recommend it to anybody who gets the chance to visit!
-Kamsy Alli ‘24