Thanks For Your Museum

***The staff of the Jim Crow Museum receives dozens of letters and emails. Some of these communiques offer insight into race relations -- historically and in the present. While some are hateful, we have decided to share some of these letters and emails with our Internet visitors.***

Sadly, I can tell you of a place in northwest Illinois, 65+ miles outside of Chicago for more additions to your museum's collection. I went antiquing with a white friend of mine, which we always do when I go visit her. This was a big antique store, and I was just expecting farming antiques. I happened upon a black memorabilia table. Granted, I lived in Birmingham, Alabama, most of my life, so it's not like I'm unfamiliar with this, but I've never seen it live, being sold, in a store, in present day. I looked around for a few more minutes and then I went and sat in my friend's car. It ended a rather nice holiday. I don't really like going into rural areas because of such vast ignorance. It's scary.

So, I looked up black caricatures on Google to show a Canadian friend what I had seen; he had no idea what they were. Now I am emailing you a big thank you for this museum. If I had funds, I'd contribute for sure (I hope to contribute in the future), and I'd love to visit (which I'm sure most people never say). Thanks for showing this ugly history (I'm intrigued that you included the California raisins in the collection), so we can get these wounds irrigated and healed. It's bold and desperately needed.

Best,

Deborah B.
-- Nov. 25, 2006