About Time

Published January 30, 2006 in Race.

There’s going to finally be a museum of African American history in Washington, likely right on the Mall.

16 Responses to “About Time”

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1 Frank_D
Jan 30th, 2006 at 12:01 pm

I hope they don’t try to sneak an International Freedom Center in there when no one is looking.
2 factcheck
Jan 30th, 2006 at 2:01 pm

ian, by chance, does a small yellow van with about 10-12 passengers take you to school everyday? Do any of those students wear football helmets to school? White pointy hoods, maybe?
3 Oliver Willis
Jan 30th, 2006 at 2:01 pm

Two thumbs up for Bush for supporting this effort. I’ve said time and again, while his supporters may be racist, I do not think Bush is a racist. A poor leader with a horrible moral compass, but not a racist. And Ian, you are once again demonstrating why you’re one of the dumbest kids alive.
4 Marty
Jan 30th, 2006 at 2:01 pm

You’re off the mark on this one Ian. There are plenty of significant reasons to have a museum of African American history, as we have a vast distinct and unique experience that adds value to the entire American experience.

But I do find it comical that Oliver’s very next post has the purpose of painting all things Bush as racist.

From the linked WAPO article:

Some groups argue that the Mall is too crowded. But others — including President Bush and Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) — argue that the museum needs to be on the Mall because the place is so central to African American history and because it is impossible to understand American history without understanding the African American experience.

Next thing you know Bush will be nominating blacks to the cabinet and the courts… (wha… oh. oh yeah.)

Hey- Maybe Oliver will delete this whole post instead of just the comments and hope no one will notice.
5 Big Gay Al
Jan 30th, 2006 at 2:01 pm

I guess Ian’s definitively outed himself as a Republican voter.

museum of White history

AKA, the Smithsonian, the Corcoran, the National Portrait Gallery, National Art Gallery, National Museum of American History, National Building Museum, the U.S. Navy Museum.

What, you want another one?
6 Big Gay Al
Jan 30th, 2006 at 2:01 pm

I think Marty is right. In as much as the President did not oppose such a project, and, in fact, seems to have supported it, he does deserve thanks.
7 Marty
Jan 30th, 2006 at 2:01 pm

By the way- Thank you President Bush for supporting this effort.
8 ian
Jan 30th, 2006 at 2:01 pm

I don’t want one at all. And those aren’t museums that are solely for White history. And what does Art have to do with anything?
9 ian
Jan 30th, 2006 at 2:01 pm

About time? I wonder if you would be so excited to see a museum of White history.
10 factcheck
Jan 30th, 2006 at 3:01 pm

Oliver, I don’t know that Bush is racist either, but he is a little too comfortable courting racists to support his campaign. BJU and McCain’s black baby ring a bell?
11 Quaker in a Basement
Jan 30th, 2006 at 4:01 pm

The question should be, “Is the history of black America adequately explained in ‘mainstream’ museums?”

I don’t see how it could be. The contributions of any minority of Americans can’t be portrayed in detail by an institution dedicated to the broadest view of our national history. Specialization works the same in history as it does in medicine–it permits a thorough and detailed examination of a narrower slice of our national heritage.

Only those with something to hide have anything to fear from an unvarnished view of history.
12 Leroy Brown
Jan 30th, 2006 at 4:01 pm

I don’t think Bush is a racist but as the AFA said, “You gotta dance with the ones who brought you”

As for the museum, It oesn’t really pull me one way or the other. I see Ian’s point about the melting pot, but its not like having a seperate museum hurts anyone. As long as its open to everyone, I say why not?
13 ian
Jan 30th, 2006 at 4:01 pm

I don’t support any museum celebrating any race, we’re Americans, it’s a melting pot. I don’t know why I bother argue this, that museum will be empty in a few weeks, just like the one in Baltimore.
14 pgg2
Jan 30th, 2006 at 7:01 pm

Is there going to be a pinata of Jesse Jackson in it?
15 ian
Jan 30th, 2006 at 8:01 pm

I agree with Leroy Brown. I don’t mind the museum, but what I do mind is people who expect for there to be one, hence O’Dub saying “about time”, as if it’s due to black people.
16 Quaker in a Basement
Jan 30th, 2006 at 10:01 pm

I don t mind the museum, but what I do mind is people who expect for there to be one,

OK, that does it. That’s proof that ian swiped the keys to the old man’s liquor cabinet.

ian, that makes even less sense than your usual post. Why would there ever be a museum if no one expected there to be one? Would it simply appear, unwanted, on the Washington mall? Would tiny elves come and leave a museum as a little surprise for the people of the capital?

In a word, ian, WTF?