Cosby announced Friday he would donate proceeds from 10 concerts to the museum effort, or between $1 million and $1.5 million, museum officials estimate. Cosby sits on the museum's board.

"We need history," Cosby told an audience in Fredericksburg, where the museum is planned to open in 2007. "We need proof for our children ... to see the strength of their ancestors."

The museum plans fund-raising activities in conjunction with each concert and hopes to raise $20 million, said Ed Wegel, chairman of the museum's capital campaign committee.

Former Gov. Douglas Wilder, the nation's first black elected governor, has estimated the museum project will cost $200 million.

Construction on the five-story, 250,000-square-foot building is scheduled to begin later this year.

USA TODAY ARTICLE (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-09-26-cosby_x.htm)

Cosby announced Friday he would donate proceeds from 10 concerts to the museum effort, or between $1 million and $1.5 million, museum officials estimate. Cosby sits on the museum's board.

"We need history," Cosby told an audience in Fredericksburg, where the museum is planned to open in 2007. "We need proof for our children ... to see the strength of their ancestors."

The museum plans fund-raising activities in conjunction with each concert and hopes to raise $20 million, said Ed Wegel, chairman of the museum's capital campaign committee.

Former Gov. Douglas Wilder, the nation's first black elected governor, has estimated the museum project will cost $200 million.

Construction on the five-story, 250,000-square-foot building is scheduled to begin later this year.

USA TODAY ARTICLE (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-09-26-cosby_x.htm)

Nah, Bill, if you think we gone let you donate all that money after you said all dem bad thangs 'bout us po' foks - uhuh, we aint havin' it :cuss:

You think he's doing this for the publicity, Carrie??? :darts: Hmmmm....

Peace!
Isaiah

Who knows Isaiah. I guess I'd say I doubt if it's for publicity as he has nothing to gain by doing that. I just wonder what the museum will be like.

Nah, Bill, if you think we gone let you donate all that money after you said all dem bad thangs 'bout us po' foks - uhuh, we aint havin' it :cuss:

You think he's doing this for the publicity, Carrie??? :darts: Hmmmm....

Peace!
Isaiah


WHAT BILL COSBY SAID WAS THE TRUTH, FLAT OUT. IT'S ALSO SOMETHING MOST BLACK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR AWHILE. THE WHITE MEDIA JUST GOT A HOLD OF IT AND EXPLOITED IT LIKE THEY DO EVERYTHING ELSE.

THAT'S MY "BIG" OPINION.

I say, "bump" Bill! What I want to ask that's more relevant to this thread is, what value do museums about American slavery provide? What is their purpose and what impact do they have on people who attend these museums? Do we actually NEED to see actual slave artifacts from a period of time not so long ago? Back in early spring I started a thread about a touring exhibit called "Middle Passage," which consisted of actual artifacts depicting slavery and the slave trade industry in America. At the time, I thought it was a wonderful idea and encouraged people to see it if they could. But now, particularly because Bill Cosby is backing it, I wonder whether these types of ventures serve any good purpose at all and do they add any value to our lives as we continue to live through the vestiges of the slave era.

How much REAL history do we need to see that describes what life was like and what we had to endure when we were slaves? Is there shock value in it that will help some sleepers to wake up and smell the same coffee today that was brewing back then?

What do you all think?

Queenie :spinstar:

If you dont make an attempt to remember the past you will always be doomed to repeat it.

I think the whole Bill Cosby thing was blown completely out of proportion. OK, so he said some things that were disagreeable and seemed as if he looked down on our people, but the majority of the stuff he said was undeniably true.

Cuz our children are definitely on a different level than older generations, and the blame lies on the older generations for letting our youth become so distanced from us. I can remember getting a whoopin from a neighbor, I remember getting food from a neighbor, and my parents thank them 4 caring so much 2 look after me when they were gone. We don't have that kind of village-mindset anymore.

Instead of focusing on the way he expressed himself, focus on what he was trying to get us to focus on.

Disappointment and frustration can often be portrayed as anger.

As for the museum, I think it's cool. There are so many museums and memorials out there for the Jewish Holocaust, why shouldn't part of AmeriKKKa's negative history of it's mistreatment of Afrikans be displayed for everyone to see. Maybe then reperations (yeah, I said it) will be next on the agenda.

Peace.

HOW BOUT A DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM OF A GHETTO KID CUTTING BILLY BOYS TOUNGUE OUT WITH A PIECE OF PAPER FROM THE DIKSHUNARY<<<BLACKENESE SPELLING. ILL KEEP THIS BRIEF SINCE BILLY HO HAS BEEN DISCUSSED WAY 2 MUCH. THOSE THAT THINK HE IS SPEAKING TRUTH NEEDS A SLAPP<<<BLACKENESE SPELLING, JUST LIKE BILLY HO.

THIS MUSEUM IS 4 THOSE SHORTEES WHO WILL BE BORN IN THE NEXT 100 YRS AND SO ON. 4 THOSE AFRIKANS IN THE WEST WHO WATCH T.V. AND ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS THINKING ITS ALL GOOD, THE PAST IS OVER, WHTS R KOOL, ECT. IF U DNT KNO WHERE UV BEEN YOU WONT KNO WHERE UR........

PEACE ON THE PLANET

Who knows Isaiah. I guess I'd say I doubt if it's for publicity as he has nothing to gain by doing that. I just wonder what the museum will be like.


I've had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Cosby, and have relative... a musician by trade and a close friend of him. Cosby's motives are completely altruistic~

I say, "bump" Bill! What I want to ask that's more relevant to this thread is, what value do museums about American slavery provide? What is their purpose and what impact do they have on people who attend these museums? Do we actually NEED to see actual slave artifacts from a period of time not so long ago? Back in early spring I started a thread about a touring exhibit called "Middle Passage," which consisted of actual artifacts depicting slavery and the slave trade industry in America. At the time, I thought it was a wonderful idea and encouraged people to see it if they could. But now, particularly because Bill Cosby is backing it, I wonder whether these types of ventures serve any good purpose at all and do they add any value to our lives as we continue to live through the vestiges of the slave era.

How much REAL history do we need to see that describes what life was like and what we had to endure when we were slaves? Is there shock value in it that will help some sleepers to wake up and smell the same coffee today that was brewing back then?

What do you all think?

Queenie :spinstar:


I would hope a museum such is this would serve a similar purpose that a jewish museum does for jews

Brother Sekhemu, what does a museum about Jews do for a Jew? I'm not one so I have no idea. Can you help me understand this better?

Queenie :spinstar:

I wonder whether these types of ventures serve any good purpose at all and do they add any value to our lives as we continue to live through the vestiges of the slave era.

How much REAL history do we need to see that describes what life was like and what we had to endure when we were slaves? Is there shock value in it that will help some sleepers to wake up and smell the same coffee today that was brewing back then?

What do you all think?

Queenie :spinstar:[/QUOTE]

Sister Queenie, there is a need of African Americans to embrace our history - all of it - in order that we may learn from it, and move forward... We spend so much time rejecting our history that we are paralyzed by it... We have been told that is full of negative experiences, and that it should be discarded... Not only is that absolutely untrue, but it is, furthermore, ridiculous!

Looking at the metaphysics of it, negative is positive, and wholly necessary in creating power, so I don't know where folk get this aversion to that which is negative... As a guy who worked in the electrical field, I know that electricity(POWER)is generated with a positive and a negative charge... Without the negative(neutron)charge, the positive charge is powerless! That's nature's way of telling us something, and it is universe's way of telling us that into each of our lives some rain must fall, and we must absorb and experience that rain, that flood of pain to be whole human beings... A whole human being is far more powerful and productive than a half empty shell of a person...

Forget what other people think of the museum... African people need to stop rejecting our enslavement in this hemisphere, because it is actually a triumphant and transcendent experience that we are here to even talk about it... To run away from that experience is to run away in shame from my ancestors who braved the actual experience so that Isaiah could be here today... I will not run away from my ancestors... I will honor them and their struggle all of the days of my life... I am immensely and exceedingly grateful to them, and to The Creator for the stupendous strength they exhibited in a time when they could not run from the negativity... If my ancestors could be positive and optimistic under the most deplorable and brutal system, I will not dishonor them by shunning that awful experience... Our Ancestors, lest we forget, BUILT THIS COUNTRY... When we reject that history, what we are also rejecting that fact... Their knowledge, wisdom, and understanding built and designed this country, and that is a story I hope this museum will include in it's telling of the story... Yes, Queenie, this museum absolutely serves a great purpose...

Peace!
Isaiah

True, my issue is not about whether we need to stay connected to our history. I clearly understand the importance for us to do that because it will always remain a part of who we are and we shouldn't live in denial.

I can see how a museum of this sort could help future generations as we move farther and farther away from the plantations of the past. But I would also appreciate these museums more if they did more for us than just left us with either a shattered or proud feeling as we realize our connection to such a phenomenal group of Africans.

You know what type of musuem I think would serve us the best? It's one that not only showed us our history from the time that we were brought to these shores but also one that included in it's presentation a powerful and direct link to where we are at the present time and as we move into the future. I would like for us to see, objectively, whether we are any better off today than we were in the past when we wore chains and shackles. Show us the history of politics, economics, social injustices, the impact of Jim Crow, Civil Rights Movement, and even predictions as to what's in store for us in our future if we continue to live like we are as Africans in America...

I'd really like to witness a LIVING HISTORY and not just a dead one because we haven't "arrived" yet and our story ain't over....

Do you see better where I'm coming from?

Queenie :spinstar:

True, my issue is not about whether we need to stay connected to our history. I clearly understand the importance for us to do that because it will always remain a part of who we are and we shouldn't live in denial.

I can see how a museum of this sort could help future generations as we move farther and farther away from the plantations of the past. But I would also appreciate these museums more if they did more for us than just left us with either a shattered or proud feeling as we realize our connection to such a phenomenal group of Africans.

You know what type of musuem I think would serve us the best? It's one that not only showed us our history from the time that we were brought to these shores but also one that included in it's presentation a powerful and direct link to where we are at the present time and as we move into the future. I would like for us to see, objectively, whether we are any better off today than we were in the past when we wore chains and shackles. Show us the history of politics, economics, social injustices, the impact of Jim Crow, Civil Rights Movement, and even predictions as to what's in store for us in our future if we continue to live like we are as Africans in America...

I'd really like to witness a LIVING HISTORY and not just a dead one because we haven't "arrived" yet and our story ain't over....

Do you see better where I'm coming from?

Queenie :spinstar:

Queenie, yes, I do see your point, and I agree, but...it is, then, incumbent upon Africans to, in the words of a great R&B classic, VOICE Our Choice!(smile!) I am absolutely certain that a project of this kind is always willing to consider suggestions and proposals from African American citizens like you and I - as long as we allow them to think it was their idea :kickball: (smile!)

Queenie, did you see the thread in Reclaiming Our Stolen Culture regarding proposals to the new African Burial Ground monument??? I guess we've been reading it without comments, but that's something these museums and venues do... They solicit ideas for what the people want, because it is wholly necessary for such a venture to have visitors to it, so that it may become a viable part of the city's life... We know that means tourism in a place like Baltimore or New York City... So I would encourage you to send whatever suggestions you might have to the museum, and see what comes of them...

Peace!
isaiah

Queenie, did you see the thread in Reclaiming Our Stolen Culture regarding proposals to the new African Burial Ground monument??? I guess we've been reading it without comments, but that's something these museums and venues do... They solicit ideas for what the people want, because it is wholly necessary for such a venture to have visitors to it, so that it may become a viable part of the city's life... We know that means tourism in a place like Baltimore or New York City... So I would encourage you to send whatever suggestions you might have to the museum, and see what comes of them...

Peace!
isaiah

No, I don't think I've seen it or at least it's not ringing a bell with me at the moment! I'll definitely check it out and thank you for the suggestion.

Queenie :jumping:

Brother Sekhemu, what does a museum about Jews do for a Jew? I'm not one so I have no idea. Can you help me understand this better?

Queenie :spinstar:


I don't presume to speak for Jews, but I would gather that by creating such a museum, it would serve as a galvanizing force, for crucial issues that affect Jews as a whole.

Brother Sekhemu, I see your point and to be honest, I suspected that's what you meant the first time but I didn't want to assume that it was. That's why I asked and thank you for responding.

True, on the positive side, these types of historical museums can serve as a galvanizing force for people who relate to the history and stories and people involved. I believe it does this for many Jews who are survivors or descendents of the Holocaust. But tell me honestly, do you really think that African Americans relate the same way when they personally witness the artifacts or hear the factual stories of our collective historical experiences?

More specifically, do African American Slave Museums galvanize us as a people? Do they inspire us to come closer together as a people sharing a common experience and do things to ensure that those things don't/won't happen to us again? Are we driven by a common theme with a common purpose to fight racism as many Jews are driven to fight anti-Semitism?

Beyond the fact that these museums can keep us connected to our past, which we agree is important to know in order for us to know where we want to go in the future, but exactly how do we as a people translate that information into positive actions for us today?

Let's put this into perspective.....when did the Jewish Holocaust occur and how long did Africans endure the American slave trade? Are we just slow learners?

Queenie :spinstar:

Brother Sekhemu, I see your point and to be honest, I suspected that's what you meant the first time but I didn't want to assume that it was. That's why I asked and thank you for responding.

True, on the positive side, these types of historical museums can serve as a galvanizing force for people who relate to the history and stories and people involved. I believe it does this for many Jews who are survivors or descendents of the Holocaust. But tell me honestly, do you really think that African Americans relate the same way when they personally witness the artifacts or hear the factual stories of our collective historical experiences?

More specifically, do African American Slave Museums galvanize us as a people? Do they inspire us to come closer together as a people sharing a common experience and do things to ensure that those things don't/won't happen to us again? Are we driven by a common theme with a common purpose to fight racism as many Jews are driven to fight anti-Semitism?

Beyond the fact that these museums can keep us connected to our past, which we agree is important to know in order for us to know where we want to go in the future, but exactly how do we as a people translate that information into positive actions for us today?

Let's put this into perspective.....when did the Jewish Holocaust occur and how long did Africans endure the American slave trade? Are we just slow learners?

Queenie :spinstar:


You pose some excellent questions sistah

To answer your first question, I would have to say it depends on the two things, the person's age and level of awareness. I would tend to think that a majority of blacks over 35 would react/relate more viscerally than those of us under that age.

Some of us may not relate to a museum like this at all. These museums can galvanize us as a people, but unlike Jews we do not have the institutions in place to help reinforce these archetypes. What do I mean by institutions. Philanthropic organizations, black hospitals, film studios.

All of these entities serve as an organic force to keep the struggle and oppression of a people fresh in the minds of a given society.

In short, I think this is a formula for black people as a whole to achieve the objective of creating a museum. Naturally I would have to admit it won't take a museum alone to do this

I beg to correct all of us who call our ancestors "slaves" in fact we were "enslaved Africans". I don't know what it is but when someone says that word I cringe. It just makes me feel and probably our children feel that that is what we were when those devils found us in Africa. Although I know it is not true, it hurts.

"Enslaved Africans" means to me that we were AFricans first. Talented, creative, skilled Africans that were enslaved by europeans. I think that word sibliminally makes us feel that that was our destiny that is what were always "slaves". As a matter of fact Arabs still call us "slaves" as a rule of thumb. I was reading that in Iraq, the Black Iraqians are nicknamed, slaves.

I feel we lose our humanity when we are called slaves. Whereinas when we say "Enslaved Africans", it connotates African people who had a life, family, culture and were captured to be enslaved.

I believe words form people and I will never see our ancestors as slaves.

It is almost like calling jews, the "concentration slaves".

Interesting perspective Sister pdiane and you raise a good point. Actually both terms have negative connotations but I guess it's all about perspective and how we choose to view things. Thanks for making the point sister.

Peace,
Queenie :spinstar: