The Center for Multicultural Affairs and Detroit Urban Renewal are sponsoring the Black History 101 Mobile Museum’s “Necessary!” Tour from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, in room 310A of the Student Center.
The museum was formed more than 20 years ago and has been touring to grade schools, colleges, seminars and cultural events throughout the United States.
“We wanted to showcase the rich history,” said Erika Buckley, a CMA member and grad student at EMU. “To let students see the positive and local resources in Detroit.”
Some of the exhibits feature the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights Movements, the time of black empowerment and many others. Their collection of more than 3,000 artifacts ranges from pictures, newspapers and magazines to dolls, vinyl records, ceramic sculptures and clothing. Some of the clothing includes suits that belonged to famous figures, a Ku Klux Klan hood and others.
“My mission is to raise the consciousness of the human family by sharing artifacts that celebrate the contributions, achievements and experiences of African Americans,” said the founder of the traveling museum, Khalid el-Hakim, on its website. “I want people to walk away as inspired as I’ve been as a collector and student of this history.”
The Necessary! Tour is an exhibit highlighting the work of Malcolm X as well as other human-rights activists. This tour includes nearly 150 artifacts, many of which date back to the period of slavery, while others are more recent.
There will be signed documents from Malcolm X, along with photos, magazines and other types of writings.
There is a portion dedicated to hip hop and how it was inspired by Malcolm X and other substantial leaders. Richard Griffin, also known as Professor Griff of Public Enemy, sang praises of the Mobile Museum for its possible impact on younger generations and for their willingness to spread the word.
Fred Hampton Jr. will be a speaking at 12:30 p.m. Hampton is a political activist and the son of a Black Panther. He will be talking about Malcolm X’s influence on activists today.
“I’m elated,” said Felicia Kyle, vice president of EMU’s Black Student Union. “It’s always nice to have something like this. To inform people, young and old about our history and to make it accessible through a mobile museum is great.”
Sophomore Courtney Rice said, “I’m fascinated with Malcolm X and what he’s done as far as liberating black people. Hip hop started as just a way of free expression and now it’s grown to be so much more and to have that recognition is good.”
Sophomore Jacob Speck said “I wish that it was going to stay the entire day, that way more students that have class during those times could have the opportunity to see the museum later.”
The Necessary! Tour has already visited the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Dearborn campuses in addition to other colleges and universities in the surrounding areas.
Learning Beyond the Classroom credits will be offered to EMU students who choose to attend the event.
