Student Blog: Day at the Museums

Fall break is the best part of the fall semester, besides Christmas, (sorry to my thanksgiving lovers). It's that time about a month and a half into the semester where you get to take a minute and breathe. If you're like me "taking a minute" means a day not doing work, then getting back on the grind of catching up on all the assignments you were putting off.

However, this year I did the opposite. No work was done, besides one corporate finance assignment. I spent my break with my family visiting my sister in Maryland. This short trip was absolutely amazing, but my favorite parts were visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of American Indians, and the African American Museum.

I have always had a great interest in history, but it was so awesome to be able to go to these museums to learn a little bit more about their histories, which aren't normally taught in school.

With next month being Native American Heritage Month, I think it's really important that people take the time and learn something about the Indigenous People of this land. Whether it be picking up a book, or listening to a podcast, doing something that is going to teach you about this often "forgotten" group of people.

Visiting the African American Museum was a wonderful experience. I had been in the past, but wasn't able to see all of the exhibits. One of my favorite exhibits was the "Taking the Stage" exhibit. It highlights, "key events, figures, and themes from various eras and bring legendary performances to life through artifacts, historical images, and media presentations" in the theatre, film, and television genres. As a theatre lover, I appreciated the opportunity to learn about black people, and their contributions to the arts. You're able to sort of travel through through history and learn about minstrel shows, then the broadening of Broadway with important pieces like Fences. It also displayed famous dance theatre's, like the Dance Theatre of Harlem, which allowed black dancers to be introduced to the world of classical ballet.

I had the most amazing time on this trip, not only because I was able to see my sister, but also because I was able to learn more about my peoples histories and have a fun time while doing it.