Black history exhibit showcases the importance of remembering the past

Black history exhibit was invited onto campus where students would be guided through three influential points in Black history, discussing how it affected those who lived during those times and how it affects us now. 

The “Forgotten Images” exhibit focused on themes of slavery, civil rights and the Black Panther movement, displaying artifacts from those periods.

Slave collars, branding irons, March on Washington protest signs, KKK cloaks and records and Black Panther newspapers signed by the members were just a few of the artifacts on display.

The traveling exhibit was open in the E-building lounge Mar. 7th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. hosted by David McLucas and Lynette Jackson.

“In our exhibit, you’re going to see things you’d never see in a museum and hear stories about things that went on in the past that you never would’ve heard. It’s an eye opener for a lot of people, and it’s very emotional, tears have been flowing since this exhibit has been here,” said exhibit owner and tour guide David McLucas.

As part of the experience, McLucas and Jackson would hand the heavy chains and collars used to punish enslaved people to audience members, showing them the sheer weight of these objects. 

They also showed raw cotton demonstrating the arduous process of cotton picking that people were subjected to. 

“I felt very sad cause I’m part of this culture, so looking back on it and seeing all of this and seeing how it’s still going on to this day, it might have calmed down, but it’s still here. Holding that ball, I was like, wow, I can’t imagine the pain and tribulations they had to go through,” said audience member Carter-Ellison McQueen.

McLucas showed segregation signs and drinking fountains asking the audience to imagine they wanted to eat at their favorite restaurant, but because of the color of their skin, they would get kicked out or even killed for simply setting foot in that place.

“I have a father that tells me about these kinds of things and my father had to grow up with this kind of treatment, and sometimes when he tells me about it I don’t want to hear it. I mean I’m willing to learn but I don’t want to hear the bad stuff that’s been said about our culture,” said McQueen.

Lastly, he talked about the history of the Black Panther movement and how they not only helped their community but helped shape society as a whole.

The Panthers helped form afterschool programs, breakfast programs, health programs and taught people their rights as citizens, which was crucial for people back then and now. 

There is a Black Panther member living in Long Beach, whose name is Akinsanya Kambon. He has an art studio called Pan African Art Gallery & Studio, which the tour guides encouraged the audience to visit. 

While McLucas purchased most of the items, some were donated by people who went through the exhibit and felt they would be in better hands with him. 

The exhibit ensures the horrific truths and dark history of slavery and segregation are never forgotten or dismissed.

This was only a small portion of their collection; they have 20,000 different items with the items dating as far back as the 1600s and can do up to 40 different themes.

Before visiting LBCC, they went to the Aquarium of the Pacific, Cal State Long Beach and other city colleges in Anaheim and Orange County. 

The exhibit doesn’t end here; it will continue its journey with the next stop being Venice High School.