Intersectionality Matters! 68. The Battle for America's Memory
May 1, 2025
In a compelling discussion, Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of Just Mercy, joins Kimberlé Crenshaw at the Legacy Museum. They delve into the crucial role of museums in shaping national identity and the alarming political attacks threatening to erase Black narratives. Stevenson emphasizes that defending America’s memory is essential for democracy, while reflecting on the profound historical significance of Montgomery and the importance of truthful storytelling in dismantling racial injustice.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Visitors' Tears Reveal Museum Power
- Bryan Stevenson describes the emotional power of the Legacy Museum and how visitors cried as they confronted the history on display.
- Kimberlé Crenshaw and her group all wept by the end, showing public history's immediate emotional impact.
Museum Censorship Protects A Racial Narrative
- The Trump executive order targeted Smithsonian exhibits for presenting race as a social construct rather than a biological fact.
- Crenshaw argues this attack reveals an attempt to defend racial hierarchy by censoring museums and narratives.
Act Now To Defend Cultural Memory
- Defend museums, books, and cultural sites by visiting, contacting officials, and amplifying on social media.
- Kimberlé Crenshaw urges immediate public organizing to stop the erasure of Black history.
