Kentucky Museum to Receive $1 Million Grant for Black History

A Black history museum in Kentucky, known for its unconventional practices, is set to receive a $1 million grant from the city government of Louisville. This funding is part of a newly proposed budget aimed at supporting local initiatives.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg indicated that these funds would be instrumental in establishing a permanent location for the Roots 101 African American Museum. “With this budget, we will further share our history, in all its depth and complexity,” he noted in a recent statement.

The museum’s goal is to help visitors recognize and appreciate the resilience, creativity, and contributions of African Americans. However, its unique approach to education has come under scrutiny. One particular practice—referred to as “shackling”—has drawn attention. This involves fitting visitors with shackles to illustrate the impact of slavery, which has elicited mixed reactions.

A recently shared video on social media shows the museum’s CEO, Lamont Collins, greeting visitors with “Welcome to America” while placing 400-year-old shackles on their wrists. In one instance, an elderly white woman expressed deep emotion after being “bound,” stating that she has dedicated her life to studying Black culture. She mentioned taking Afrocentric classes and attending a predominantly African-American church.

The footage, which circulated widely, sparked a variety of online responses. Critics have claimed that the practice promotes white guilt rather than it being educational. For example, columnist Anne Stossel referred to it as “peak-white guilt theater” and criticized it as emotional manipulation.

Despite the backlash, Collins stands by the practice, asserting that it provides a powerful, tangible way for visitors to “physically feel the resistance” faced by enslaved individuals. He pointed out that many, regardless of their race, often cry after confronting experiences of hate that they may have never personally endured.