Today I went to the African museum by bus with classmates and teachers. The museum's name is Dusable. It took about 20 or 30 minutes to get there. Ifelt too far from sckool as I could see the strange sight of outside the bus. There were a lot of black people outside and they increased as we gat closer. When I enterd the site of the African museum, at first I couldn't find the whole shape of it because it was surrounded by the leaves of big trees. Certainly the museum's color was white. Even though the building was small the entrance wae still a long way from it. Unfortunately, I thought it would be a lot bigger.
Three people explained to us the museum and African culture. The museum had a first floor and a basement. The first floor displayed some pictures of the lyinching of black people. There were some manacles that bound the black people underneath the pictures. The guides explained to us a detailed description of lyinching.
Another place introduced the explotation of great black people such as Annie Mallone and Margaret Taylor. There were also some sculptures and wood handcrafts depicting black people. When I went to down the basement, I could see an apparatus for drinking water. There were two types for each race ; white and black. A wide room displayed many posters and records of famous singers. The museum as a whole was bright and clean and the guides were very kind.
Before I went to the African museum, I thought I will be bored. Because my final project is not African culture, I had no special feelings. But when I saw a picture that described how White people hung and burned them while they surrounded African Americans with smiling faces, my blood froze. It was too cruel a scene. People in the period took African Americans to a strange continent with a bad environment. What did they think about African Americans ? I wonder if they felt guilty or not. I hope they felt guilty because it is wrong that human beings trade human beings and deal irresponsible with them.
This event ought to be sad for everyone. I think White people should have to go to the African museum and talk about African Americans. Because now African Americans are distinguished people in certain areas. I hope they will be compensated for their terrible experiences.
In contrast the pictures of famous singers moved me. There were many posters and records, I felt all of the posters had wonderful designs and use of colur. The black people on the posters looked like they were fill with pride. I admired them. It was really nice. I think the black people have absolute music and a great talent. Their music highly are impressed with us. I guess it is the irony of fate that the black music made up of helpless against the White people.
The time I went to African museum, I was given the opportunity to consider the muaning ' America' again. Especially how America receives various people and different cultures, which makes it difficult to unite the whole country. But I think the meaning of the African museum is not to blame but to understand and admit. As the guides explained to us many times, they wanted to people to know the facts. And now, that we know the facts what should we do ? I guess we should think more and talk about African Americans and American culture in the future.
I hope the African museum will move to Down Town so many people can look at information about African Americans. Before I went to the museum, I was scared of black people on the South side of Chicago. Now I'm going to try to change my mind. There are many various races and people of various occupations in Chicago. I'm sure that it is brought me great experiences. I want to know more about their history and habits. I also want to know my country's history, characteristics and its dark side.
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