The Black History 101 Mobile Museum is remembering and re-educating society on Black history in America

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Chains and a whip used in the slave trade along with an early 1900’s Klu Klux Klan hood and other documents from Dr. Khalid’s collection.

 On Jan.30, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim brought the Black History 101 Mobile Museum to the East Lansing Public Library, highlighting and celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The event showcased authentic documents and artifacts ranging from the time of the slave trade in the U.S, civil rights movements from around the world and all the way to the modern era of hip-hop and its influence on culture and society.

Dr. el-Hakim has more than 10,000 artifacts in his collection that show the history of Black influence in America and other parts of the world. When speaking with him on his motivations for the museum, he spoke about the misinformation being spread through mainstream education and, in some parts of the country, the complete censorship of the material he is trying to show. 

“The main inspiration was to bring about awareness to aspects of the Black experience in America that was not being taught in schools,” said Dr. el-Hakim. “Or if it was being taught at all, it wasn’t true.”

Dr. el-Hakim hopes to show that the stories his documents tell are still relevant today and how hip-hop and Black musical influence has been used by society and culture from the time of slaves singing spirituals to Kanye West.

He hopes the information that he has been sharing will eventually make its way into the mainstream and will no longer be a forgotten part in history. 

“It takes a conscious effort and for people to stand up. There’s school districts right now where people are fighting right now…some places in America it’s illegal,” Dr. el-Hakim said. 

This is also ties into the recent actions of Florida Gov. RonDeSantis denying the offered African American studies AP course proposed by the AP College Board. 

“It sends a message that Black history isn’t important,” Dr. el-Hakim said.

When speaking with his partner, Victor Muhammad, on the greatest impact he has seen the museum have, he stated, “The greatest attribute is that it starts a conversation and enlightenment. It’s a buried history.” He also expressed, “If you don’t know the actual history, you certainly can’t be relevant in the present and you can’t progress in the future.”

For more information on the museum and their tour dates and locations you can visit www.blackhistorymobilemuseum.com.

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