Suffolk Reporter

The Black History 101 Mobile Museum made a stop at Stony Brook University on February 27, showcasing artifacts that chronicle the African American experience. The museum, established by Khalid el-Hakim, boasts over 7,000 original items from the trans-Atlantic slave trade era to modern hip-hop culture.

At the university, approximately 170 artifacts were displayed in the Stony Brook Union Ballroom. These included items related to hip-hop culture as well as articles and artifacts about lynchings, Ku Klux Klan events, advertisements, books, and consumer goods aimed at Black audiences.

Victor Saadiq Muhammad, the museum's lead curator, engaged with visitors and highlighted the importance of preserving this history. “It’s very calculated, and it’s moving in a direction where they are trying to just rewrite history,” he stated. He expressed concern that future generations might not know about these historical events if efforts to rewrite history continue.

Muhammad noted that racism often stems from ignorance rather than malice: “Racism only thrives on ignorance. And ignorance does not mean that someone is not intelligent.” He pointed out that a lack of communication between different groups can lead to misunderstandings and divisions.

He recounted a discussion with a young man who acknowledged benefiting from his ancestors owning slaves despite not being academically strong but still accessing top education institutions. Muhammad emphasized the need to recognize how past inequalities have shaped present realities.

The museum has faced obstacles such as cancellations due to political pressure. Muhammad mentioned an incident in Florida where Ron DeSantis threatened funding cuts for institutions hosting the museum. He argued that once people learn the truth, they begin asking questions and seeking more information.

Social media's role in modern discourse was also discussed by Muhammad. While it aids information sharing, it also contributes to polarization: “People pick and choose what they want to see, and history gets replaced with propaganda.”

The event was sponsored by Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement (DICE), Diversity, Inclusion, and Intercultural Initiatives (DI3), and Student Engagement and Activities as part of Black History Month initiatives.

— Beth Squire