Economic Stimulus to Cultural Empowerment: The National Museum of African American History and Culture

In 2003, President Bush signed legislation to establish a National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The legislation is significant for a number of reasons: First and foremost, it will fill a historical, educational and cultural void that has existed in this nation for centuries. There currently is not a national institution that addresses itself to our history and culture. Second, it should allow the African American community the opportunity to have a voice and direct control over how our history is to be preserved and presented for dissemination to future generations. This latter point is especially important when one realizes the power of historical interpretation. It is of greater value to the self-esteem of our youth to have available an institution that presents African American History from our perspective as opposed to it being told from the perspective of others. The national museum is slated to be the last construction project designated for the National Mall. Incidentally, the site was not designated without some strong voices of opposition.

While the passage of the legislation was positive, the fallacy of its passage lies in the fact that no funding was legislated to move the project through to fruition. Currently, we (the African American community) have a $400 million dollars project sitting under the control of the Smithsonian Institute without a visible public plan to move it forward to completion. The Smithsonian Institute’s hesitancy to take this project public and to seek community support raises serious question to their level of commitment in pushing the museum project forward. The project has been approved for over five years, and it is unheard of in many parts of this nation. If the public is not made aware of the project and solicited for support, then how is the project to be funded?

Our Foundation is adamant about the fact that the National Museum of African American History and Culture should be built with minimal delay and maximum public participation. In February, we announced our intentions and plans to gather public financial support for the project. We contacted city/federal elected African American leaders and the historic Black Colleges around the country asking that they lead by example in supporting the museum project. Many of the individuals and educational institutions have complied by participating in our virtual “Buy A Brick Program.” To our understanding, checks have been forwarded to the Museum Headquarters in Washington, DC in response to our outreach. We have sought follow-up dialog with the Smithsonian Institute through the National Museum staff regarding the expansion of the outreach solicitation to include the broader segment of African American community. Our suggestions, recommendations and request to discuss the matter thus far have gone without a response. I think you would agree that the silence is most peculiar in light of the fact that they are in need of $400M dollars, and have no visible viable program in place to solicit public support in raising the funds.

In the following two months, the Government will put billions of dollars into circulation through the Economic Stimulus Program. The program offers our community the unique opportunity to rewrite the script on the museum project’s future. It is an opportunity for us to build the museum strictly on the Government’s dime. The funds to be distributed through the stimulus program is money that the public was not expecting a few months ago. Yes the Government is asking that we use the money to purchase consumer goods. However, we are asking that each member of our community who receives a check under the Stimulus Program donate twenty-five ($25) dollars of the money toward buying a virtual brick to support the construction of the national museum. Since the funds are not moneys that we had anticipated having, the small donation should not impose a hardship. In addition, the donation can be written-off as a tax deductible contribution. Let’s Build Our National Museum.

You can help by sending your check or money order to:

The National Minority Military Museum Foundation Biographical Sketch

Founded in 1978, the National Minority Military Museum Foundation is a non-profit educational organization. The foundation was formed to achieve the following goals:

To raise public awareness of the contributions made by African Americans and other minority men and women in the defense of the nation.

To establish a national museum dedicated to telling the story of minorities who have served their country and to place the history within its proper place of importance in American History.

A partial listing of the organization’s past supporters includes:

In addition, the organization’s goals and objectives have endorsed and advance by in-kind support from:

The governments of France, Russia, India, Panama, Great Britain and South Africa recognize the organization’s work. The National Minority Military Museum Foundation is a member association in a national coalition of African American veterans’ organizations.

The Foundation has sponsored and co-sponsored many events over its twenty-three years history. Among those activities:

The Foundation has maintained a high level of public visibility in promoting our cause. Our activities have been supported and endorsed by minority veterans, organizations, community civic groups, public education institutions and political representatives in local, state and federal levels of government. The Foundation is the 1999 recipient of the Congressional Black Caucus Award for exemplary service to African American veterans in the local and national community.

Mr. Blatcher’s work led him to pen a book, Of Thee I Sing, and produce a documentary, African Americans in World War II: A Legacy of Patriotism and Valor. Click here to reach Mr. Batcher.

Your comments are always welcome.