The experience I had at the Global Village Museum being told about different cultures all around the world all looking at all the different things every culture had to offer was amazing. Seeing all the different pieces of art and expressions of cultures around the world really tied everything together.
At the Global Village Museum, I was shown many different objects or artifacts that make up a culture. While I was there, I saw the traditional clothing that people would wear, from Jamaica all the way to China. You could even see artwork that people from that culture had painted and the amount of thought and effort that was put into every painting and sculpture.
Another important detail I would point out is that every artifact that was shown had its own story about how important it is or was when it was needed.
My favorite section of the museum displayed different cultures in different rooms. For example, there was Mexico, China, India, and many others. A personal favorite was the Mexico exhibit because Mexican culture really interests me, from how they speak, dance, and celebrate one another.
I enjoyed the China exhibit, too, because it showcased many aspects of their culture, including beautiful traditional dances meant to bring good luck and fortune to all who see them. I believe something like this shows how their culture focuses on spiritual power.
Other things that stood out about the tour of the Global Village Museum were how you could see the struggle that Black people went through just to have the amount of freedom that we have in the present time. There was a journey showing how white people would perceive African Americans in the past and how we were treated.
It was difficult to see how some people imagined Black people would look in cartoons or books. They would draw us as dark-skinned with big lips and silly clothing, making us look what they called “funny.”
The drawings of girls were the same way, with the same dark skin and big lips, but with slight differences. They made our hair look untamed, with the only thing keeping its shape being a red bow. Girls were drawn in red dresses and eating watermelon.
The Global Village Museum really showed some of the racist artifacts that were present at that time.
This experience was meaningful and important to me because it really showed me the different things that Black people were going through, but they either had to say nothing or push past their feelings and just keep going through life like it was normal.
The museum also showed us that there were Black people who did not just sit back, watch and bypass everything. They played a role to make sure that their future children or grandchildren could live in a better world or have a better life than they did.
What I will remember from this experience at the Global Village Museum is how they captured so many cultures with things that make their state, place or country special or unique. This helps us all see how the world doesn’t have to be the same, that places have their own celebrations and styles, and it’s OK to notice different things about others.
Angel Brown is a KIPP Legacy High School student and a member of the JAWS media internship program.
JAWS is an initiative of the Indianapolis Recorder in partnership with the Edna Martin Christian Center, KIPP Legacy High School and the Mind Trust.
