Dean of Students

Today was a longer travel day for us as we ventured out from Virginia to Atlanta, Georgia! At this point I think we've all found our prime sleeping positions and we're starting to get used to the lengthy bus rides (hopefully!). This bus time has also given me a chance to reflect on all the information we've grasped on this trip thus far. 

Yesterday was a day that not only made me realize how many details I had forgotten about American History but also how much African American history I had not learned in school. The National Museum of African American History in particular was very memorable to me. When we first boarded the elevator to enter the exhibit, I remember one of the staff members saying that "Black History is American History". After walking through the dense history of the slave trade, segregation, and Civil War, I was most astounded by the sheer documentation and detail that came along with this museum. Centuries of oppression brought a greater push for equality and built solidarity, which I truly felt especially once I reached the top floors of the museum that displayed modern day African American culture. From music to television to food, I felt lucky to see the impact of history on ongoing traditions and culture. 

The Erasure of Queer & Trans Black History

Walking through the National Museum of African American History and Culture was a transcendent experience. Each exhibit was curated with intention, revealing many of the intimacies and intricacies of Black life in the United States. In many ways, this is the museum that African Americans deserve; it gives us life amidst death, shows the resilience of our ancestors and imagines a future filled with Black creativity, solidarity and love. This said, I was disheartened by the all-too-familiar lack of Black queer and trans histories from the narrative being portrayed. As a space that is dedicated to understanding Blackness in all its forms, it was vexing to see that Black queer and trans folk were not given a seat at the table.