THEM: Images of Separation opens November 15 – February 22.
THEM is a traveling exhibit courtesy of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University that showcases items from popular culture used to stereotype groups of people. Negative imagery found on postcards, license plates, games, souvenirs, and costumes has promoted stereotyping against groups such as African-Americans, Asian- Americans, Hispanics, Jews, and poor whites, as well as those who are “other” in terms of body type or sexual orientation.
“We feel it is important for the Holland Museum to bring this exhibit to West Michigan. As a cultural leader in the community, the Museum has an opportunity and responsibility to bring awareness to social justice issues including racism, and we have the space to have meaningful discussions around those issues,” says Holland Museum Executive Director, Ricki Levine. “We ask people to explore this exhibit and programs with an open mind and heart.”
Through six three-dimensional and 32 framed pieces, “THEM” tackles some of the most contentious, hot-button cultural issues: anti-Arab sentiment, Holocaust denial, “don’t ask, don’t tell” and immigration. The exhibition also includes items demeaning to African-Americans, but that is only a part of the exhibition’s larger picture.
EXHIBITION PROGRAMMING
Download a copy of our “THEM: Images of Separation” program brochure for a list of upcoming free public programming, which includes panel discussions, lectures, and family events. Be sure to check our events list for up-to-date information about each program.
THEM: Images of Separation free public programs:
November Story Time in Spark!Lab
A Deal too Good to Refuse: A Cautionary Tale of the Space Traders
Anti-Semitism: Religion, Race, and Nation
December Story Time in Spark!Lab
Discrimination and Stereotyping of Immigrant Populations
What’s Different?
January Story Time in Spark!Lab
Us versus Them: Understanding the Images of Separation
How Would You Change the World? MLK Day at the Holland Museum
Why Do We Hate Them? Because We Can’t Forgive the People We Have Wronged
Equity and Disparities in Healthcare
A Child’s First Impressions
February Story Time in Spark!Lab
EXHIBITION RESOURCES
For the most up-to-date list of resources, please visit our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage.
Our partners at the Herrick Library created a list of resources for THEM: Images of Separation.
Please explore it here.
Teaching Tolerance:
Website Resources – What they are and how to get involved
QUOTES ABOUT THE EXHIBIT:
“We need to see this. It can’t be censored. Thank you for showing us. I’m sure it has inspired all of us.”
“Thank you for sharing this. It is a bit hard to look at and sometimes comprehend. But it needs to happen, I’m grateful to those who made this happen.”
“This gave me a lot to think about – awful to see – but needed to be shown. Thank you for the work you do. It is places like this that make change possible.”
“So impactful. Wish more people can see this. Thank you for sharing.”
ABOUT THE JIM CROW MUSEUM:
The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, located at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, strives to become a leader in social activism and the discussion of race and race relations. Its mission is to use objects of intolerance to teach tolerance and promote social justice. The Museum’s mission is achieved by collecting, preserving, exhibiting, teaching, and learning about objects and artifacts related to racial segregation, anti-black caricatures, civil rights, and African American achievement.
THANK YOU EXHIBITION AND PROGRAM SPONSORS:
