See now, THAT'S what I'm talking about
Lester at Vision Circle picked up on this.
It's nice when you go looking for good news and actually find it. It's possible the museum won't survive: Black folks don't like unredacted history any more than any other American; mention slavery to your average Black person and you'll get one of those Bugs Bunny escapes, where the dust contrails go off in eight directions at once.
But it's good to see Black folks who've "made it" stepping up to the cultural plate. REALLY good. I hope the museum makes it, and Judge Keith and crew deserve recognition.
African-American museum came first, risk second
Detroit's elite put their very names on the line
April 9, 2004
BY FRANK PROVENZANO AND ROCHELLE RILEY
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS
The cadre of Detroit's elite who met March 27 and April 6 in Judge Damon Keith's chambers put their reputations and pocketbooks on the line. The goal: save the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, which is running out of cash, time and credibility.
For the prominent executives, it meant attaching their names to a museum that has been failing for years.
For Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, it meant focusing on one need when there are so many -- increasing economic development, reducing crime and fixing the schools.
For Keith, a 6th Circuit Court of Appeals judge, it meant walking an ethical high wire.
Keith, 81, is a legend and mentor to a Who's Who in Michigan law and politics, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a former law clerk whom Keith swore into office. The Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges forbids soliciting funds for educational, civic and charitable organizations as well as using the prestige of the judicial office for that purpose.
He said he served as a catalyst for bringing together the high-power group in his chambers, but did not solicit money.
Keith said he couldn't stand by and watch the museum fail.
"I said we have to save this museum," he said. "Now, we have to hope that the community will now rise up.
"We blacks who are in positions of power and authority who don't use our positions to help the struggle of black people are prostitutes and aren't worthy of being in our position," he said. "We have an obligation to save this museum."
