February 27, 2001 The Lion’s Eye Page 5 Historic tour displays ~ black struggle, history By CONNIE RINGGOLD Staff Writer A handful of Penn State Delco students took a special journey Feb. 16 — a journey back through time. Even though there were few in number, that didn’t stop us from visiting the First African American Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore, Md. I didn’t know what to expect when I got there but, when I walked in the- door I saw the statues of great lead- ers in history. such as: Harriet Tubman, Langston Hughes and Malcolm X. There was an exhibit enti- tled the slave ship. On this ship there were different cab- ins that held the sick and elders, girls and women and men and boys. We saw the skeletal remains and the tortured remains of malnourished bod- ies. Another scene showed a decapitated head of a man in his mid-30s. The head sat on a tub, as if warning others who may consider disobeying. There was also a wall full of tools of the slave trade: shackles, whips, hammers and other objects that were used to capture and subdue slaves. As you walked further down the poorly lit corridor, you see the display of the rebellious slaves where they overpowered their captors, and sought revenge for their brutal treatment. The most gruesome sight was a mutilated bloody corpse of a women hanging from a tree. A white man stands in front of her, cutting her stomach open and remov- ing the baby from its moth- er’s womb. All you could do was stand and stare in disbelief. Elmer and Joanne Martin started this museum back in 1983. With the intentions of opening the first ever African American wax museum they had a few objectives in mind: BM to stimulate an interest in CONNIE RINGGOLD Above, Booker T. Washington and his autobiography, ‘Up from Slavery’. Belew, black children say they are not afraid of Klu Klux Klan members. At right, a slave in shackles on a ship to America African American history by revealing the unknown facts about the struggles our ances- tors faced HB to use great leaders to motivate HB to clear up myths of racial inferiority. Some know this museum as the most dynamic cultural and educational institution museum. You can walk through this 30,000-square-foot exhibit and witness the remarkable accomplishments that have earned some of these great leaders a spot in the museum. You can see how slaves were taken from their homes in Africa and taken to the new land were they were sold, raped, whipped and mistreat- ed. : I talked to Rachel Robinson a student that went on the trip to see what her take was on the Blacks in Wax Museum. “It was very educational,” Robinson said. “It covered a lot of issues that the text books don’t cover.” Before I visited the muse- um, I too, was uneducated about my past. I was taught what the teachers wanted us to know and I researched all I could on my own. After I visited the Blacks in Wax Museum, I began to see into my ancestors past. The pain, the horror and the bondage they went through. I can truly say that this experience has left a lasting impression on me. If you want to visit the museum on your own the address is: 1601-03 E. North Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21213. It costs $6 and it is open to the public 364 days of the year. My opinion: The trip is well worth it. DENZEL WASHINGTON . Stars in ‘Hurricane’ Food and film: Great festival combo By DANIELLE ROSSI Staff Writer What? Where? When? Penn State Delco’s annual Film and Food festival that’s what. There will be a celebration in memory of Black History Month. All are welcome to attend and enjoy the viewing of Denzel Washington’s, “Hurricane.” “Hurricane” is the story of Rubin Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder. Be sure to be there on time the film begins at noon Feb. 27. Are you wondering, who can watch a movie without food? Well, no need to worry. Free food will also be available. Indulge in mouth-watering traditional soul food provided by friends, staff, and students. Let’s stress again that the film and the food are free. So don’t forget to mark your calendar. Come show your support dur- ing this celebration of our histo- ry. The Film and Food Festival is Tuesday, Feb. 27. It runs from 11 am. to 2 p.m. in the large con- ference room, in the Commons building. March: Month to celebrate women’s HERstory For those of you who do not know, March is Women’s History Month. Granted, we should show apprecia- tion to women throughout the entire year, but during this month we are able to celebrate women, their strug- gles, accomplishments and what they have done to improve our society. We're lucky enough to attend a University where they feel strongly about women and are willing to edu- cate the student body on many aspects of Women’s History. There are a few events planned for Penn State Delco students, faculty and staff. Check out the list and mark down a few on your calendar. Bm Poet Carolyn Wright will speak at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 1. m Sister Talk / Brother Dialogue with Stephanie Renee and Crew from Creator’s Child Production, Inc., starts at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 15. Bm Book Discussion Group, spon- sored by the Bookstore first discussion facilitated by Christine Ziemba. The book to be discussed: “Sister of My Heart” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Discussion begins at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 20. ® Bishop John S. Spong, retired Episcopalian bishop who ordained the first woman and the first homosexual, will speak at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 23. A book signing follows at 1:30 p.m. in the campus bookstore. mB Commission for Women Luncheon. Local talk show host Susan Bray will be the guest speaker at this event that begins at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 29 in the large con- ference room in the Commons. — ‘Compiled by Anthony Kozlowski
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