16440: Displaying Respect On Veterans Day.

 

From The Signal Tribune…

 

African American Cultural Center of LB honoring Black veterans with latest exhibit

 

By Kristen Farrah Naeem, Staff Writer

 

Memorabilia from the lives of Black veterans are on display at the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach, paying tribute to the sacrifices they made for the United States despite the discrimination they faced within it.

 

“When we think of the very earliest wars, up until the end of World War Two, most of our militaries were segregated,” said Sharon Diggs-Jackson, who curated “The African American Military Experience” exhibit. “And while Blacks were not afforded all of the rights that are outlined in our Constitution, they still fought valiantly in every war that America as a nation participated in.”

 

While the armed services were desegregated in 1948 after an executive order by President Harry Truman, segregation wasn’t outlawed nationally until the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Black soldiers were often relegated to labor and supply positions, according to the U.S. Military’s website.

 

“African Americans have served whether or not it granted us the same freedoms and democracy as the ideals and principles that were being fought for,” Diggs-Jackson said. “It didn’t matter. We served and we served valiantly, and so we thought that was important to be able to share that story.”

 

The African American Cultural Center of Long Beach found material for the exhibit from the internet, army surplus stores and veterans’ families. The donated items include old photos and uniforms preserved by family members of late service-men and women.

 

The items were first put on display in 2021 in a series of themed exhibits at the African American Cultural Center, and were organized into different categories that showcased women in the armed forces, generals, medical personnel and more.

 

This year, the historical materials have been brought together for a more comprehensive, month-long exhibit. It opened to the public on Nov. 3, during the Bixby Knolls neighborhood’s monthly First Friday event.

 

The exhibit was made possible by grant funding from the Long Beach Navy Memorial Heritage Association.

 

“While we may be focusing a little bit more on African Americans, I think the exhibit tells the story of our military and our armed services in general, and there’s an opportunity for everybody to learn,” Diggs-Jackson said.

 

The African American Cultural Center of Long Beach is located within the Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.). The exhibit is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout November. There will be extended hours Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.