Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture

Today, since Major was off of school in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I decided I wanted to do something educational with the boys, rather than just sit on our butts doing nothing, even though that was kind of appealing. Hey, it's cold out!

So we headed to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in search of knowledge and to educate ourselves on African American culture not only in the USA, but in our city of Baltimore.

We learned how 200 years of slavery wreaked havoc on families and communities among the African Americans here in Maryland. Men, women and children were torn from their loved ones, and were isolated, and then sold to complete strangers.

Despite all of this, these strong men and women would continuously renew their ties to family and community. Nothing would stand in their way.

We learned how African Americans used their skills to create industry and other success, despite their constant struggle for opportunity. We learned of these people, and their strength and resilience, and it was inspirational. They turned to what they knew, and to what was needed, like fishing for oysters, and clams, and canning their catch for sale. We saw and touched the materials used to create ship sails, and saw how their hands turned to leather working the fabrics day after day.

We learned all about how ancient cultural traditions brought over from Africa helped to mold music, art, dance, sculpture, storytelling and literature as we know it today.

We witnessed some truly horrific things that the African Americans had to endure throughout our history here in The States, and here in MD. It's important never to forget that these atrocities weren't THAT long ago, and we still have a long way to go.

We watched clips of Dr. King's speeches, and had opportunities to talk about civil rights and how things were and how things are. It was awesome being able to have such a conversation with my 8-year-old, and to have him so thirsty for knowledge. He had so many questions. I loved learning right along with him.

There was an exhibit showing portraits of young black men and their fathers, as just that: Young men and their fathers. Not thugs, not gangsters, but businessmen, students, entrepreneurs and more.

But there was also the exhibit called Kin Killin' Kin, art based on gun violence, and the modern-day issues facing the African American community, especially that here in Baltimore; guns are turned on each other day after day, year after year.

There was a wall in memorial for those affected by gun violence, where people were encouraged to write the names of those they know killed or wounded on the streets.

It was beyond devastating to see ALL of those names hanging there.

We ended on a lighter note, and had fun doing crafts, and the boys enjoyed socializing with other kids they'd never met until today.

All in all, the boys and I had a lot of take-away from our visit, and I'm really glad we decided to get out on this cold and gloomy day to do something to enrich our minds and hopefully, it will make a difference in their lives growing up here in Baltimore.

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.