Review of the "Voices of Civil Rights" Exhibit

The online public history exhibit I reviewed is titled "Voices of Civil Rights," which is hosted on the website of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The NMAAHC website contains a variety of wonderful exhibits pertaining to African American history and culture, and I would recommend giving them a look. The “Voices of Civil Right,”  exhibit is a comprehensive look at the Civil Rights movement in the United States, covering the period from the early 20th century to the present day.

One of the first things that stands out about this exhibit is its use of primary sources. Primary sources are very important in terms of providing credibility to the exhibit. This exhibit’s abundance of primary sources provides the viewers with lots of valuable information pertaining to Civil Rights. The NMAAHC has done an excellent job of collecting and presenting a wide range of documents, photographs, audio recordings, and video footage that give visitors a sense of what it was like to live and fight for civil rights during this time period. For example, there are transcripts of speeches given by civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, as well as audio recordings of these speeches so visitors can hear the passion and conviction in their voices. There are also photographs of key events in the Civil Rights movement, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Greensboro sit-ins, which help to bring the events of this time period to life. The abundance of primary sources including transcripts of speeches, photographs, and recordings allow the visitors to have a great experience viewing the exhibit. 

Keepsake pocket bank for the National Negro Memorial, ca. 1926.

In terms of interpretation, the NMAAHC does an excellent job of contextualizing these primary sources and explaining their significance within the larger context of the Civil Rights movement. Each section of the exhibit includes brief overviews that provide background information and help visitors understand the significance of the materials they are viewing. Additionally, the exhibit includes a number of interpretive panels that provide more in-depth analysis of key themes and events. These panels are well-written and provide valuable insights into the complexities of the Civil Rights movement. Another great aspect of this exhibit’s content is its ability to be understood by all audiences. The language isn’t too challenging for viewers who aren’t familiar with advanced terminology. According to Manuel Charr viewers like to view exhibits with, “a space that’s easy to navigate and  a space that makes amazing content accessible” [2]. It is essential that the visitors of the exhibit are capable of understanding what they are learning about. Moreover, this exhibit helps viewers learn about the history of Civil Rights with no misinterpretation of the events that have happened over time. 

Century in the Making exhibition. Seven panels with artifacts and text about the NMAAHC.

Another strength of this exhibit is its attention to diversity and inclusivity. It is essential that there is diversity in all exhibits because it is then capable of representing all types of people. The NMAAHC has done an excellent job of presenting the experiences of a wide range of individuals who were involved in the Civil Rights movement, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. The exhibit includes stories of all different people and their involvement with civil rights overtime. This is important because it ensures that the exhibit reflects the diversity of the movement and helps to counter the tendency to oversimplify and homogenize the experiences of those involved.

One area where the exhibit could be improved is in its use of interactive elements. While there are a few interactive maps, images, and videos scattered throughout the exhibit, they are relatively scarce and do not offer a lot of depth or engagement. The exhibit is full of wonderful content that illustrates the history of civil rights very well. Given that this is an online exhibit, there is an opportunity to incorporate more interactive elements that would help to engage visitors and make the experience more dynamic. Manuel Charr writes that, “exciting and interactive elements are necessary” [2].Without these elements the exhibit can become boring and uninteresting to the viewer. There are many ways that the exhibit can incorporate interactive elements. For example, the exhibit could include more interactive maps that allow visitors to explore different parts of the country and see how the Civil Rights movement played out in different regions. Another way they could incorporate more viewer engagement is by including a game or quiz that tests your knowledge. This won’t only make the exhibit more engaging, but it will also help the viewer get a better understanding of the content. 

Overall, "Voices of Civil Rights" is a well-done online public history exhibit that provides a comprehensive and nuanced look at the Civil Rights movement in the United States. This exhibit is highly recommended due to its in-depth examination of the events pertaining to civil rights over the course of United States History. It effectively uses primary sources and interpretive panels to provide context and analysis, and it does an excellent job of representing the diversity of the movement. While it could benefit from the incorporation of more interactive elements, it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about this important time period in American history.


Sources:

[1] National Museum of African American History and Culture. (n.d.). Voices of Civil Rights. https://nmaahc.si.edu/exhibitions/voices-civil-rights 

[2] Charr, Manuel. What Makes a Good Museum Website?  https://www.museumnext.com/article/what-makes-a-good-museum-website/
Location: 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, USA

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