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American Morning

Effort Under Way to Establish Museum of African-American History

Aired June 15, 2001 - 10:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: There are efforts to establish a museum of African-American history on the Mall in Washington.

And CNN's Jeanne Meserve is there and has more for us on that -- hi, Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Donna.

This is a controversial idea. Supporters say a museum on slavery and the African-American experience will lead to understanding and healing. But opponents say it will open old wounds better left alone. There is bipartisan support in Congress for a museum on the National Mall and earlier I spoke with one of the chief proponents, Oklahoma Republican J.C. Watts. I asked him how prominent a role slavery should play.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REP. J.C. WATTS (R), OKLAHOMA: Well, that's African-American history. That's American history. It will play a role. But obviously I think the African-American community has made a contribution to this nation in science, in medicine, in engineering and other things. So we want to kind of walk, obviously have slavery play a role, but I think bring us through up into the 21st century.

MESERVE: For whom would this museum be more important, African- Americans or Americans of other ethnic groups?

WATTS: Well, Jeanne, I hope it would be important to all Americans. Obviously, the African-American community would, I hope, would take and I think would take great pride in this museum. But I hope that it would be a source of pride for all Americans, because again, African-American history is American history and so anyone that would want to take a look at, you know, where we've come from in this nation, in the black community, the contributions that we have played, that black Americans have played in developing our nation, I think it's important to understand that there's red, yellow, brown, black and white that's helped to make America what it is today and we have different memorials, different points of history here in the United States Capitol, here in Washington, D.C., that can kind of articulate that, explain that, be a source of pride for all Americans, I hope.

MESERVE: But do you believe that because of the history of this country, it is much more important for there to be an African-American museum on the Mall than any other?

WATTS: Well, Jeanne, like I said, I think all people, there's -- people of all colors have made contributions in making America, I think, the most wonderful, most prosperous nation in all the world. And I think there's room for those, for that recognition to be had. I think there's room to recognize that in our nation's capital.

We have millions of people -- you know, here standing around me today you'll see all people from all walks of life, all different skin colors walking around the capital, taking pictures. You go into the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial just to kind of understand the history of America. This is a great place to do that.

So I do think it's fitting and it's very appropriate to allow slavery, allow African-American history to take its rightful place in Washington, D.C.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MESERVE: Congressman J.C. Watts of Oklahoma. If there is to be a museum, Donna, Watts and others hope it will be part of the Smithsonian Institution -- back to you.

KELLEY: All right, Jeanne Meserve in Washington, thank you.

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