The Smithsonian has just opened a new digital archive created to preserve African American history and culture. Historians try to give educators, researchers, and, most importantly, the general public access to historical materials that were kept away for years so that the stories and achievements of African Americans can be recognized and remembered throughout history. It has thousands of photographs, documents, and oral histories—the gamut, really—of the African American experience from the era of slavery to today. They explore a lot of themes that include civil rights movements, cultural contributions, and personal narratives. These are digital materials so easily reachable by those who wish to learn and share those very diversified experiences among African Americans.
This archive stands out with respect to the oral histories, which describe the firsthand experiences of witnesses to key historical events. Oral histories delineate one’s being and emotional connection to the past. The oral histories provide interviews with civil rights organizers, artists, and citizens who really shaped America. These stories contain special insights, views, and information—sometimes facts—that are not captured in the dominant record of history.
The archive also contains an extensive collection of photographs documenting African American life, spanning different eras and places. From early 20th-century photographs of Harlem Renaissance figures to today’s snapshots from protests at Black Lives Matter, these photographs open a visual record to support the written and oral record. They express the cultural richness and diversity of the African American community and extol its vibrant contribution to American culture. An important part of the digital archive is educational resources. The Smithsonian has created lesson plans, interactive exhibits, and virtual tours using their archived materials. It all seeks to give teachers the assistance needed to fit African American history into curriculum content and engage students in meaningful learning experiences.
The goal is to continue fostering a fuller, more inclusive, and more accurate portrait of American history. This digital archive makes its highly timely appearance when the United States turns conclusive attention to racial justice and racial equality. By making those material findings widely available, the Smithsonian aspires to increase general awareness and appreciation for African-American history and culture. It is a step toward righting historical omissions and including a general understanding of the strident contributions African Americans have made to society. It will be expected of the digital archive to be like a living resource, so there will be continual additions to its collections through expansion and updating.
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The Smithsonian will partner with other institutions, community organizations, and individuals to collect more materials and ensure that the archive remains comprehensive and representative. In doing so, it fully represents the elongated breadth and depth of African American experiences and makes sure that it identifies with diverse voices and perspectives within the community.
By preserving these historical materials and standing in a position to easily and conveniently share them, the digital archive of the Smithsonian has played an important role in educating future generations for a deeper understanding of American history. It is a vital reminder of the legacy left behind by African Americans and their deep contribution to the country’s cultural and social fabric. Although this is growing and will continue to build out, it is sure to become something of great value to scholars, educators, and indeed anyone interested in exploring the rich history and culture of African Americans.
