Territory and Memory

A) Listen to the speech and complete part A of the worksheet 

Télécharger « obama-opens-us-black-history-museum »

B) Read the text and do part B of the worksheet 

A country which refused to offer respect or even basic humanity to African Americans is honoring black history in an extraordinary way. Yesterday former President Obama inaugurated the opening of the National Museum of African American Culture and History in the nation's capital Washington D.C. 

Everything about the museum is bold : the mission, the collection, the $540 million dollar building inspired by ancient African art and designed by David Adjaye, a British architect born in Tanzania to Ghanian parents. 

To say that the museum stands out is an understatement. Across the street from the White House you can find it on the green that surrounds the Washington Monument. The façade is a laticework of deep brown metal and is similar to the ornate gates and balconies of New Orleans which were mostly made by African American metalsmiths. "I wanted a building that spoke of resiliency, uplift and spirituality, but I wanted a building that had a dark presence too" the architect explains.

At their best, museums help us to understand and interpret our complex world by illuminating history and influencing attitudes. That becomes a challenge when we must examine our darkest episodes. Any society scarred by war, genocide, famine, displacement or slavery must decide what to remember and how to remember. Individual memory is one thing but this museum will be able to help define our collective memory. And collective memory, transferred from generation to generation, defines a nation's character. 

National Geographic Magazine (Michele Norris, slightly adapted) October 2016