By Consuelo McAboy
Oppression has deep roots in our country. One university is hoping to encourage discussion about tolerating cultural differences with a new museum grand opening.
After 16 years in the making, the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University holds its grand opening this week.
Since 1996, the museum has been housed in a small classroom that could only fit 15 people at a time.
Now, the expanded facility with 3,000 plus square feet will allow the museum to display more artifacts from the Jim Crow era.
Curator David Pilgrim said the museum will be a great addition to the university...
"Obviously in a university, we deal with issues of racism, sexism and issues of homophobia and so this becomes for us, just another example of the university taking an eyes on hands on approach to learning and I think it's an incredible teaching and learning tool for our students and even with all of the national and international attention, it's still primarily an academic resource for our students"
Pilgrim said the museum is the largest free accessible resource with segregation memorabilia in the nation.
He said the museum features an African American achievement section, objects that symbolize the Civil Rights Movement and a space for dialogue.
Oppression has deep roots in our country. One university is hoping to encourage discussion about tolerating cultural differences with a new museum grand opening.
After 16 years in the making, the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University holds its grand opening this week.
Since 1996, the museum has been housed in a small classroom that could only fit 15 people at a time.
Now, the expanded facility with 3,000 plus square feet will allow the museum to display more artifacts from the Jim Crow era.
Curator David Pilgrim said the museum will be a great addition to the university...
"Obviously in a university, we deal with issues of racism, sexism and issues of homophobia and so this becomes for us, just another example of the university taking an eyes on hands on approach to learning and I think it's an incredible teaching and learning tool for our students and even with all of the national and international attention, it's still primarily an academic resource for our students"
Pilgrim said the museum is the largest free accessible resource with segregation memorabilia in the nation.
He said the museum features an African American achievement section, objects that symbolize the Civil Rights Movement and a space for dialogue.