In recent years, many black-oriented museums have fallen on hard times. They are not doing so well because they lack financial support. Importantly, they lack financial support from the very people they cater to–African-Americans.
“We have yet work cut out for us to cultivate the interest of African Americans and athletes of many cultures,” said Michael Fox, executive director of the Ali Center. “It hasn’t happened yet at the level we expected. I think it has been a disappointment to date.”
The $75 million Ali Center opened recently in Louisville, KY. The center celebrates the life and achievement of one of the greatest Americans, Muhammad Ali. However, the center only one person of color gave a substantial amount–Lennox Lewis. He’s not even an American. Despite a recent study showing that African-Americans are very generous in their charitable contributions, their giving is mostly to churches, schools, and scholarships. Despite the bevy of wealth African-American Athletes, the Ali center didn’t find many contributors to the museum. Why?
The State Of . . . culture as a whole will suffer without more recognition and support for African American museums. I remember the opening of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis at the old Lorraine Motel many years ago. I remember the excitement of that day and in the years after because of the museum. Now, when I go to a new city I seek out the African American museum of that town, my sister as well. However, in recent years I have been disappointed. Although I was a member of The Philadelphia museum of Art, I refused to be a member of the Philadelphia African-American Museum of Art because, quite frankly, it was poorly run and had very few exhibits. In fact, I rarely took visitors there.
Another example was my visit to San Francisco last July to their African American Museum. I never got in. I show up a little early and was reading my maps until the museum opened. It was located in the Fort Mason complex. I stayed for almost a half hour after the opening time and no one showed up to open the doors. I think experiences like these have happened to other African-Americans and may prevent them from giving more to museums. Despite my experiences, however, I think it important that we renew our efforts to support our African-American themed museums. More for our children than anything else.
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