A coalition of Detroit organizations continues to challenge an exhibit planned for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
The Black Legacy Coalition wants the museum's Board of Trustees to reconsider an exhibit featuring Thomas Jefferson’s plantation that's set to open in March.
Tawana Petty is a member of the coalition. She says Jefferson shouldn't be showcased at the museum because he owned slaves, including Sally Hemings, with whom he had children.
“The coalition believes that there are better exhibits. We have shown better exhibits at that museum. This exhibit is not appropriate,” Petty said.
At a press conference Monday the group also called for changes to the Board of Trustees at the Charles H. Wright Museum. The Coalition wants the board to have more members that live in, and are committed to the community.
“The current representation on the board are all corporate elites who don’t represent the interests of the city,” Petty said.
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