Texas Southern University is well represented in the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C., with a painting from John Biggers, founder of TSU’s Art Department; sketches from TSU alumnus Kermit Oliver; images from TSU alumnus and University Photographer Earlie Hudnall Jr.; and a display featuring the award winning, internationally acclaimed TSU Debate Team.
In addition to the exhibitors, TSU alumnus LaStarsha McGarrity, who interned with the Museum for 8 months prior to its opening, worked to restore several exhibits including cleaning the silver dresses worn by American R&B/pop vocal group En Vogue in their 1991 video My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It); working with Harriet Tubman’s shawl; as well as handling Nat Turner’s bible. “It was amazing to be able to handle these pieces of American history,” McGarrity said of her experience. “These were all authentic pieces.”
Dr. Alvia Wardlaw, Director of the TSU Museum, serves on the NMAAHC advisory board. Wardlaw, along with Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, 96, TSU’s world renowned Debate Team Coach Emeritus, participated in the private opening ceremony on September 17.
The TSU Debate Team display carries a picture taken in the fifties of the team with the Freeman. It includes a description of the team’s activities and a reference to the team’s role in the training of the actors in the movie, “The Great Debaters,” produced by Grammy winning actor Denzel Washington. Also on display is the trophy won by TSU alumnae Barbara Jordan (deceased) and TSU alumnus and former TSU Thurgood Marshall School of Law professor Otis King (deceased) when they integrated forensics in the South, at Baylor University in 1957.
Mickey Leland, the late Congressman and TSU alumnus, was passionate about creating a National Museum of African American History and Culture and first introduced a bill calling for a national museum in 1986. The opening to the general public starts September 23 through September 25. Organizers anticipate mass attendance for the three days of activities.
Yolanda Adams, another prominent TSU, alumnae will perform at the gathering and musical prelude September 24.
Among those in attendance and participating in this weekend’s activities are Dr. Freeman and his wife and daughter (Clarice and Dr. Carlotta Freeman), current TSU Debate Team Coach Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts, Dr. Wardlaw and a group of Texas Southern University students. Viewers were shocked and amazed at the presence of Dr. Freeman and sought to record the moment by taking pictures with him.
United States President Barack Obama is scheduled to officially dedicate the opening of the National Museum today. The NMAAHC theme is: “A People’s Journey-A-Nation’s Story.”
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, September 23rd 2016 at 2:22PM
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