America I Am

To me the exhibit "America I Am" means that African-Americans have had a huge role in shaping American history and culture and that America would be very different without African-Americans. I can infer this because it started with the  first slaves coming over then progressed through history with landmarks such as the Great Migration, Martin Luther King leading the civil right movement, Brown vs Board of Education, and Shirley Chisholm running for president. The final room (not counting the movie) was a tribute to African-Americans that had an impact on American culture; from Jackie Robinson to Louis Armstrong.

The exhibit was interesting. It was well paced and each section made sense in the context of the exhibit. Certain parts, like the church and slave ship were made to look like the real environment which was interesting. There was always a picture, movie, or primary source to look at so you never got bored. Um... I can't really think of a con, but the gift shop selection was pretty sparse. ;)

What We Can Learn From the Tuskegee Airmen-John Murphy

We can learn a lot from the Tuskegee Airmen. The first thing we can learn from them is never to give in no matter what. They faced many challenges including racist officers and generals. The second thing we can learn from them is dedication to excellence, they never lost a bomber they had been assigned to protect. The final thing we can learn from them is that you can achieve anything if you work hard. They paved the way for African-Americans in flight and achieved great things despite significant obstacles in their path.

Dorie Miller Poster-John Murphy

Here, Dorie Miller is shown sanding in front of the ruins of Pearl Harbor with a Navy Cross on his shirt. This poster, by David Stone Martin, is based off a photograph of him. Dorie Miller was a cook on the USS West Virginia. In the attack on Pearl Harbor he dragged his captain to safety and manned a 50mm bridge gun, though he had no training with it, and shot down at least one Japanese plane according to his account. He was awarded a Navy Cross six months later. He was previously only given a letter of commendation, but after public outcry in the African-American community he became the first African-American to receive the Navy Cross. After this poster released African American enlistment soared. He died around the time this poster came out, when The Liscome Bay, was torpedoed.

The Huron

The Huron were a powerful tribe of Native Americans who lived in the north east. They were hunters and farmers and were the Iroquois enemy.

John Murphy

My name is John Murphy and I'm in the 8th grade. My role model is Barrack Obama because he is very smart and dedicated. The highlight of my life was when I jumped off a ski lift because it was fun and I nearly got in a lot of trouble which made it even more fun. I hope my future holds a huge mansion, a yellow Lamborghini, and lots of money.