The True Black History Museum Arrives at UNL: A Traveling Museum You Don’t Want to Miss

They say that those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it. America has a dark history. It is one that cannot be forgotten. While February is the month of love and romance, it is also Black History Month. It is a time for us to remember the tragedies and sacrifices made in that history. We need to know and remember that history. One of my teachers recently said to my class, “Why do I say the word ‘Remember?’ Because we as humans are prone to forget.” It is our duty to remember the past, so we do not forget. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to learn about that history, and one of them is coming to Lincoln.

The True Black History Museum is a traveling museum that is visiting the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. This museum was created in 2010 with the intent to celebrate and create awareness of the contributions African Americans have made to the world. They have over 1,000 different artifacts spanning from the 1700s to the 21st century. These artifacts include original documents, photographs, books and newspapers. 

All these artifacts will be on display Feb. 22. It is free to the public and is an amazing way to learn about the past. This will be held in the Nebraska Union room at UNL. The exhibit has heavy themes of legends, women, truth and power. It has aspects from the era of the Civil rights, pre- and post-Civil War and everything in between. 

The beauty of the exhibit is the pain behind its history. But along with that, the pain is why it needs to be spoken and meditated on. The exhibit has one document that is a deed written by the first African American man to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate by the name of B.K. Bruce. While he was born into slavery, he carved out a path for himself. Knowing that history adds to the context of pain and the struggle of African American legacy. "Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history." – Carter G. Woodson.

TJ Pittinger is a junior

theology major from

Gilson, Ill.