The Black History 101 Mobile Museum made a stop at Stony Brook University on February 27, providing an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to engage with artifacts that narrate the African American experience. Founded by Khalid el-Hakim, the museum showcases over 7,000 original artifacts ranging from the trans-Atlantic slave trade to modern hip-hop culture. The collection covers themes such as slavery, politics, Jim Crow laws, science, religion, education, music, sports, and civil rights.
Approximately 170 artifacts were displayed in the Stony Brook Union Ballroom. While many focused on hip-hop culture, others included items related to lynchings, Ku Klux Klan events, advertisements targeting Black consumers, books, and everyday objects like toothbrushes. These artifacts created an emotional connection with attendees.
Victor Saadiq Muhammad serves as the lead curator for the mobile museum. He engaged with visitors and emphasized the importance of preserving this history: “It’s very calculated, and it’s moving in a direction where they are trying to just rewrite history,” he stated. “Two generations from now...they rewrite the story of how we built this country without acknowledging who helped.”
Saadiq Muhammad highlighted that ignorance often perpetuates racism: “Racism only thrives on ignorance...there’s no communication between different races.” He recounted a conversation with a young man about historical injustices: “I asked him...‘Do you think you benefited from your ancestors owning slaves?’ And he said ‘Yes.’”
Despite its educational mission, the museum has faced challenges. Saadiq Muhammad mentioned cancellations due to political pressure: “We’ve been canceled several times...Ron DeSantis threatened to take away funding.” He also discussed social media's role in shaping discourse: “People pick and choose what they want to see...But that’s how revolutions start.”
The event was part of Black History Month initiatives sponsored by Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement (DICE), Diversity Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives (DI3), and Student Engagement and Activities.
— Beth Squire