Smithsonian Museum of African American History & Culture Asks Protesters For Lafayette Square Items

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Sat Jun 13, 2020, 08:38 PM - Edit history (1)

- By Mike Valerio, WUSA9, CBS News Local, June 12, 2020.

If you brought a Black Lives Matter protest sign to Lafayette Square, took a photograph that captures an indelible image, or have an item that perhaps encapsulates this moment in history, the Smithsonian wants to hear from you.

Essentially, your item could be an artifact, one displayed for generations to come.

The Smithsonian announced Thursday that three of its museums are beginning the process of collecting objects left in Lafayette Square and Black Lives Matter Plaza.

But the process of accepting items into the Smithsonian’s permanent collection is lengthy. And so far, curators haven’t officially obtained any objects from the D.C. protests against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd. [*Read more about the process at the link].

...Individuals who made protest signs, brought candles, or created paintings conveying the toll of police brutality, must explicitly give the institution permission to acquire their items. The Smithsonian then researches the object, and a collections committee votes on whether to accept the item into the museum.

Members of the public can identify an item from the protests they’d like to give by visiting the donation page of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“It's really about trying to preserve not just history, but memory lived experiences and humanity,” Bryant said. “And so, I think that's really important and that's a role we can all play.” With the 8-foot high fence surrounding the White House now dismantled, and items affixed to the barrier removed, Bryant said the Smithsonian is making connections with activists who saved many of the objects. More & Videos.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/national-museum-of-african-american-history-culture-asks-protesters-for-lafayette-square-items/ar-BB15pSfN?ocid=hplocalnews

* Website, Smithsonian Museum of African American History & Culture (*Temporarily closed)https://www.si.edu/museums/african-american-museum

* 'An Inside Look At the National Museum of African American History & Culture,' Travel + Leisure, 2016.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/national-museum-african-american-history-culture-curator-interview









Family in front of Black Lives Matter poster at Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.

[bobbieinok]

1. Glad they're doing this. Valuable history

[Collimator]

2. Wait until word gets back to Trump.

He will try to dictate what can or cannot be displayed in the Smithsonian. He will talk about a family member with some training in historical preservation or whatever, then declare himself naturally endowed with expertise in that area.