Baylor Journalism, Public Relations & New Media
MIDWINTER 2017
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NEW MEDIA GRADUATE PROGRAM
Visit to New Smithsonian African-American Museum Causes Emotional Reactions for Baylor Faculty WASHINGTON – The grand opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in September was a historic event for many reasons. Not only was this the first time Baylor University contributed an exhibit to a Smithsonian museum, but many people also viewed this exhibit as an opportunity for AfricanAmericans to tell their story. Baylor journalism professor Dr. Mia Moody-Ramirez and her family were among the first guests to visit the museum. She said she felt fortunate to witness history alongside her children. “That was a historical moment for all of us, for everyone who went on that day,” Moody-Ramirez said. “It’s something that we will always remember, something my children will be able to tell their children. They were actually there.” As president of the Waco chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., Moody-Ramirez was excited to enjoy the experience with members of the organization, her family and Baylor School of Law Professor Connie Nichols, who served as chair of the trip. Jack & Jill is a multicultural
organization of mothers with children ages 2-19, dedicated to nurturing future leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. The first day the highly coveted tickets became available to the public, a member of the Waco Chapter of Jack & Jill was able to secure several dozen for members of the nonprofit organization. “This was not easy,” MoodyRamirez said. “Several members spent several hours on the telephone to secure the ticket. Only one person was able to get through.” Moody-Ramirez said she thought her two sons, ages 11 and 13, learned valuable lessons about their heritage from the museum. They also had the chance to hear from African-American leaders and celebrities who spoke at the museum’s opening ceremony, including President Barack and Michelle Obama, Oprah, and Will Smith. “They talked about the struggle and the importance of the museum, the hard work that had gone into building the museum because it’s been a long time
coming,” Moody-Ramirez said. While her sons preferred the pop culture exhibits, Moody-Ramirez said she enjoyed seeing the exhibits about the relationship between race and gender, a topic on which much of her own research is focused. She also said she was excited to see the work of her colleague, Professor Robert Darden, on display at the museum. After more than 10 years of tracking down and digitizing thousands of selections of Black gospel music, Darden finally had the chance to share the music with the world. He and the rest of the contributors to the museum had the opportunity to see the museum before its official opening. Darden said he shared emotional conversations with other museum donors that day, including those whose family members had been slaves. In his opinion, people of all races should care about hearing stories about the history and culture of African-Americans. “So much of the history of this country has been us coming to some sort of a relationship, a kind of understanding,” Darden said. “If we as a country ever want
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