Know Justice in the New South 6

Yesterday Brad and I went to the Levine Museum of the New South.  This museum has a permanent display of the history of the South and several rotating exhibits that we like to check out.

We parked in the parking deck that validates parking for the museum.  The few accessible spots at the entrance to the parking garage were taken.  So we drove around and up levels until we found a spot where Brad could get his wheelchair out.  It was on the 7th floor of the parking garage.  We walked to the nearest elevator, and there was a big giant yellow painted STEP to get into the elevator area!  So we walked to the next one, same thing!  There were two sets of elevators on each level, and we visited every level until we got to the second level.  Brad took pictures of all the inaccessible places (you can see them through the pictures link below).  What a shame!  At least there was an accessible entrance on the 2nd floor—so we avoided strolling around 1 of the 7 floors—but Brad and I still had to walk around a whole bunch to get there!

Brad says most people don’t realize how dangerous parking lots can be for people in wheelchairs, since they’re down low and can’t just jump out of the way if someone can’t see them and backs up or is driving around quickly.  That’s why accessible parking needs to be close to entrances, even the distance isn’t a physical challenge for someone in a wheelchair.

Right now the Levine Museum of the New South has a display called K(NO)W JUSTICE, K(NO)W PEACE about the BLM (Black Lives Matter) protests in Charlotte and around the country.  It was a very good exhibit!  My favorite part of the exhibit had you walk down a narrow hallway with nearly life-sized pictures of protesters and police on the walls, and with audio recording from some of the marches.  It really felt like we were there.  Amazing.

We also got to see the Camp Greene exhibit, which is about a military installation in Charlotte during the first World War.  It was pretty interesting, too.  Then we decided to visit the permanent display again, as it is pretty good.  We had a lot of fun looking through things– I always see something new each time I visit (like this time I hand-cranked a cotton gin!).  But we ran out of time so we missed the modern history of the area.

Of course we took pictures!  Here is the link for all the pictures:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vW7W5t72MbWySEbh7

My favorite ones are posted below.

A silhouette of Veronica and Hestia walking in the parking garage. Veronica is wearing a blue butterfly dress with red shoes, and Hestia has a purple vest on.

Brad in the hallway that makes you feel like you were at the Charlotte protests. Brad is wearing a red blazer, and you can see a person with a disability in the picture he is posed next to.

Hestia sitting on Veronica’s lap. Veronica is holding onto the tiny handle of the purple vest!

Veronica hiding behind Hestia– I had just been giving her some loving!

Black and white photograph of Hestia from above and backward. She is so funny looking with her googley eyes!

Veronica’s legs crossed while standing with red shoes on, and Hestia seen through the legs, sitting and looking up at Veronica.

Same as last picture, only Hestia is lying down.

A cute picture of Hestia and Veronica hugging in a recreated barber shop!