Everyone of every age in the United States NEEDS to visit.

I looked forward to the opening of the Legacy Museum:From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. For some reason that I will let others speculate about, it wasn’t easy to find out information about the events leading up to the opening of these important facilities. When people did find out about it they found tickets hard to come by. I don’t really mind that I wasn’t able to get tickets during the opening week. I am not fond of crowds and even though, if you are from Alabama you may not have heard much about the opening before it was introduced on air the Sunday before on 60 Minutes, apparently many others from around the country already had heard and they scooped up all those tickets to hear Civil Rights leaders, dignitaries, and entertainers come to talk, pontificate, and sing. I’m glad the opening got that kind of response from the world.

I waited until Monday of the following week and went to the Museum and Memorial with a dear friend. I had been warned that I would need at least 2 hours to go through the museum. I spent 2 1/2 hours and really need to return.

The museum is the place to start. You can’t take pictures there so you won’t see any here. The name of the museum says it all. It takes you from the enslavement of Africans from the early days of this country to continued enslavement through Mass Incarceration.  The museum resides in a wearhouse once used to hold slaves while they awaited sale either by trade or on the auction block. Expect personal stories, supported facts, and poignant artwork.

As I said, I have to go back. The museum is a critical piece of missing education in our countries history and it is not to be missed by anyone. There is a lot to be learned and learned from here.

The Memorial for Peace and Justice is far from graphic. Again, I think everyone should go. It is a peaceful and contemplative place. I’m not going to talk much about it. There is so much being said already. I’m only including a few photos. The ones I am including have personal meaning to me. I would ask that when you go, find personal meaning and for yourself as well.

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