US Circuit Court Judge Robert L. Wilkins Speaks at BU Law
Judge Wilkins discussed his new book and the story behind opening the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Boston University School of Law was pleased to welcome Hon. Robert L. Wilkins, of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to speak on September 19 about the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the release of his book, The Long Road to Hard Truth: The 100-Year Mission to Establish the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Wilkins discussed the journey toward creating the first national museum exclusively documenting African American life, history, and culture.
“It has been a long road. It’s been 100 years in the making for this museum,” said Wilkins.
Wilkins, who served on the presidential commission of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, spoke to BU Law students, faculty, and staff about the history and background of bringing the museum into fruition.
Efforts to create a national museum for African American contributions to US history date back to the Civil War, however, Wilkins sought to make the museum a reality starting in 1996 following the memorial services of a fellow congregant. After paying his respects to the family, Wilkens listened to anecdotes from African American elders describing the joyous courtship rituals, family life, and camaraderie of African Americans during the Civil Rights movement.
“When my wife and I drove home that night, I wondered why didn’t African Americans have a museum to share all these wonderful stories,” said Wilkins. “It became an obsession. The more I learned about the history, the more I wanted to become involved to make this happen.”
Having served as a public defendant for six years in Washington DC, Wilkins has seen his fair share of discrimination towards African Americans. His past experience and work pushed him to advocate for a museum where the African American story can be told properly.
“I saw devastation all the time. Devastated families, crime victims, people who were undereducated, people who came from poor families living in substandard housing—all of these ills of American life,” he said.
Wilkins recalled a time when he and his cousin were stopped by a Maryland police officer for speeding. Rather than just issuing a speeding ticket, the officer ordered that their car be searched by a K9. After the incident, Wilkins filed suit in the case of Wilkins v. Maryland State Police and won a settlement against the Maryland police. As part of the case settlement, Maryland state police were required to record data of all traffic stops that resulted in vehicle searches. The data showed that for every white motorist searched in Maryland, four black motorists were searched.
“It really propelled me to want to be involved in something that is inspiring. Something affirming. Something that could hopefully move us forward. Something that could be one small part of the solution,” said Wilkins.
In 2003, President Bush passed legislation for the creation of the museum with unanimous consent. In January 2006, the Smithsonian Board of Regents voted to allow it to be built on the National Mall.
For Wilkins, the museum represents much more than just a gallery for African American history. It is a place for understanding and representation. “I think one of the meanings of this museum is unity. Unity and understanding that can come through the education and the examination of the African American experience,” said Wilkins. “To see how people of good will from all races and all ethnic and religious backgrounds came together to fight against that oppression and make the country a better place.”
President Obama inaugurated the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Saturday, September 24.
Reported by Greg Yang (CAS’17).