The University Museum Goes Downtown

THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964: A CELEBRATION

            “I hate injustice. I hope I will go on hunting it all my life.”—Ben Shahn

            A Lithuanian immigrant, Ben Shahn made it his goal to capture the life of the oppressed, impoverished, and discriminated in art. In a collection of 9 prints brought to The Artists Hand by the IUP University Museum, Shahn’s images are stark representations of influential leaders and laborers who fought for and fell victim to the Civil Rights movements.

            Shahn’s portraits include the likes of Frederick Douglass, who, as an ex-slave participated in the abolitionist movement prior to the American Civil War; The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the figurehead of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s was shot and killed the night before a protest march for peace; and James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, all freedom workers who were ambushed and shot in 1964 by members of the KKK.

            The exhibit is also comprised Semitic images, like a dove and Hebrew script, as those of the Jewish faith experienced similar prejudices and fought similar battles. All of Shahn’s prints come together to honor, revere, and celebrate those who have endured discrimination and who dedicated their lives in order that we might remember the struggles they fought, and died, so passionately for.

            The Civil Rights Act of 1964 illegalized discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, and sex. While "equal protection of the laws to all" was given to Americans by the passing of the 14^th Amendment in 1868, it did not grant equal rights to all. As a result, minorities, including women and African-Americans, were still objects of discrimination by social practices like poll taxes and acts of segregation well into the 20^th century.

            The collection will be exhibited at The Artists Hand until May 3^rd. There will be an opening reception on Friday, April 4^th from 6-8pm.