Great idea: New museum on racism in Michigan

There is a new museum in Big Rapids, Michigan. It is the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia and it showcases exactly that--artifacts of racism in America. Truly, what a great idea. Phenomenal. Americans have, for far too long--and still do--pretend that either racism doesn't exist or was never that bad or just turn their heads from it, time and again. For hundreds of years, we pretend it doesn't exist. This should help dispel such notions: BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — "The objects displayed in Michigan's newest museum range from the ordinary, such as simple ashtrays and fishing lures, to the grotesque — a full-size replica of a lynching tree. But all are united by a common theme: They are steeped in racism so intense that it makes visitors cringe."

"That's the idea behind the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, which says it has amassed the nation's largest public collection of artifacts spanning the segregation era, from Reconstruction until the civil rights movement, and beyond...The displays are startling. The n-word is prevalent throughout, and many items portray black men as lazy, violent or inarticulate. Black women are shown as kerchief-wearing mammies, sexually-charged Jezebels or other stereotypes. The shocking images exact an emotional cost. 'There's parts in that room — the main room — where it's quite gut-wrenching,' said Nancy Mettlach, a student conduct specialist at Ferris. "And the thought that was going through my mind was: 'How can one human being do this to another human being?'" Great question. And it needs to be asked time and again. If we have museums on the Holocaust, shouldn't we also have one on racism? Link: http://news.yahoo.com/newest-michigan-museum-showcases-racist-artifacts-070835385.html