Surrounded by singers from Howard University, Ben Vereen performs the final song of his act, bringing to a close the We Are One People fundraising gala at the Warner Theatre in Washington to raise money for the U.S. National Slavery Museum. Photos by BRIAN PRICE /THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

It's about education

Event raises funds for U.S. National Slavery Museum

By EDIE GROSS

Date published: 6/5/2006

WASHINGTON--Attention, white people.

When historians speak about slaveholders, about their role in what is undoubtedly this country's most shameful institution, they're not talking about you.

So relax, already.

"You didn't do it. It goes waaaaaaayyyyyy back," comedian Bill Cosby joked Saturday night to a crowd of 1,100 at the U.S. National Slavery Museum's fundraising gala at the Warner Theatre.

He used humor to deliver a serious invitation: It's about time America--blacks and whites--engaged in a blame-free, guilt-free conversation about a key piece of this country's history.

"If you're here now, you didn't do it. Get that out of your mind," he said, drawing laughter from an audience of all races. "Relax, man. Nobody's looking at you like you did it.

"That's why we need a museum--because you didn't do it," he continued. "If you can just get a comfort zone of talking about it."

Supporters of the U.S. National Slavery Museum say it will provide just that--a venue where visitors can learn about the cultural, political and economic impacts that slavery had on this country.

The museum isn't about stirring up controversy. It's about setting the record straight, said Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder, former Virginia governor and head of the museum project.

"Slaves were not brought here. Free people were brought here. They were made slaves," Wilder said. "The U.S. National Slavery Museum will not cast blame, impart guilt or polarize around issues such as reparations. We're not asking anyone to do anything other than be educated."

The $100 million museum, which is being designed by architect Chien Chung Pei, will be built on 38 acres in Fredericksburg's Celebrate Virginia development, on a hill overlooking the Rappahannock River.

Organizers say they've raised about $50 million so far in cash and pledges toward the project, and Saturday night's event was a big push to raise the rest.

"It's good to see a lot of people involved," Wilder said at a reception before the show, where about 150 supporters milled around and posed for pictures with Cosby. "I think that what it begins to do is show that people are serious."

Cosby and entertainer Ben Vereen headlined the event, which also featured performances by Afro Blue, an a capella group from Howard University, and presentations on the museum's architecture and exhibits.

'We're starting on a journey, ladies and gentlemen, and it doesn't end tonight. We want a slavery museum.' Ben Vereen, entertainer

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Date published: 6/5/2006