Club takes trip to National Museum of African American History and Culture
courtesy of Ani Boghossian-James
AACC members. From left to right : Hannah Lemen, AniBoghossian-James, Devin Barge, Sophia Posada, and Avery Apau.
April 5, 2017
On April 6th, the African American Culture Club (AACC) took a field trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. At the museum, students viewed various artifacts that had been preserved and donated to the museum’s gallery. The tour begins with an elevator descent back in time to the origins of slavery, beginning in Africa during the 14th century. From there the museum is an upwards trek, approximately 1 mile, from oppression to freedom.
The museum, which opened September 24, 2016, commemorates African American history, culture, and influence in America. At the Grand Opening Dedication Ceremony, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in attendance. Entertainer Stevie Wonder performed at the ceremony, but before doing so, he provided the crowd with a testament of his own.
“I haven’t seen the museum yet, but I’m going to. I was born blind, but I was blessed with envision. I know, and feel that we must come together This cannot go on, all of it, any of it, going back and forth, the hatred.”
One of the club’s founders, Ani Boghossian-James, wanted to start the club to unite all of the African Americans in the school to learn more about their culture.
The AACC’s adviser, Biology teacher Beth Ericsson said,”The education is so valuable, in that museum, I don’t think that there was a single portion of the entire museum that wasn’t important, and I’d like to see that they keep the museum up-to-date.”
“The most surprising part of the museum was the artifacts they had from famous and groundbreaking African Americans, such as Harriet Tubman’s shawl,” said James. “From this trip, I found an enhanced respect and appreciation of an inspirational and courageous race that is continuing to overcome immense obstacles,”
The group returned from the trip with a different perspective. “From this trip, I found an enhanced respect and appreciation of an inspirational and courageous race that is continuing to overcome immense obstacles,” said junior Sophia Posada.
