Scholar David Pilgrim Talks about His Complicated Relationship with a Museum of Horrors He Found(ed)

I found this explanation of the genesis of The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia such an interesting and moving read.

Pilgrim reminds us that cultures continue to make the same mistakes when they refuse to face their past honestly. I am impressed with the man’s creativity in imagining a way to subvert the subverters, to make horribly racist imagery serve a higher purpose (the exact opposite of its original intent). And I salute Ferris State University for having the courage to stand by a visionary scholar who must have known from the start that such a collection would invite criticism and worse.

This made me want to read more by Pilgrim. I learned today he has published a number of books. I think I will probably start with this one which relates to the collection.