we visited the henry ford museum in detroit on saturday, after hanging with the elliott family for a couple of hours. it was incredible (yes, both the visit and the museum). my only regret is that I misunderstood how vast the museum was and spent a disproportionate amount of time in the cars/airplanes section. I had to practically run through rosa park's bus
and didn't get to see the declaration of independance or spend time reading about black history like I would have wanted to. so much information and, clearly, so little time. we will most definitely have to go back.
seeing an actual kkk costume really took my breath away. neal and I could feel the evil all around the display. it took me back to our time in pulaski, tennessee, where we were invited to the annual kkk parade by some well-meaning locals. I was shocked and stunned at the suggestion, telling the gentleman that that would never be allowed "back home". he completely ignored my remark stating "oh, it's a lot of fun. they hand out balloons for the kids." our stay in beautiful east tennessee was not quite the same after that.
I also found myself drawn to the quote "if this is freedom, then what do you call slavery?" I am fascinated by black history, if that is even the proper word, especially living so close to the canadian part of the underground railroad. I am going to have to write a curriculum sometime soon ... I can feel it in my bones. maybe as soon as I finish the one I am writing right now. and after another few visits to the henry ford museum.
here is a snapshot of the first time we went to greenfield village, which is on the same property, fourteen years ago ...
