Reflection #3: Newseum

The Wednesday Lab this week was definitely the most emotional one yet. Going to the Newseum I wasn’t really expecting to be moved by the exhibits. However, as soon as I got off the elevator and saw the pieces of what once were people’s homes, I knew I was in for an emotional rollercoaster ride.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, I’m pretty sure I understood that it was bad, but I don’t think I comprehended how truly devastating it was. As time passed and I got older, I think the severity of the situation sunk in. Currently there are more internally displaced people because of the hurricane than for any other reason. People still have not had the opportunity to return to their communities let alone their homes. Looking back, something interesting is how the media played into how the situation was perceived by the rest of the nation and world. For example, white people photographed looting were described as trying to survive while black people photographed looting were described as stealing. While at the Newseum, it was also interesting to see how the media teams got into New Orleans faster than the rescue teams, the Red Cross or any government aid.

Upon arriving at the 9/11 exhibit I knew that it was going to be even more emotional than the Hurricane Katrina exhibit. We were all so young when the planes hit the towers, I feel like none of us really understood it. Looking back on the footage of that day really struck a nerve. But I also think that it allowed the individuals who were together through that portion of the exhibit to bond in a way; people shared their stories and how they were affected by the tragedy. The exhibit also impressed me because it was very well done, they could have made it huge and full of pictures and artifacts, but I think that the fact that it is small and not overdone said a lot. I felt that it really allowed each individual to really experience the event and not be overrun by information.

The Newseum was a great experience and I really think that I’ll be going back to see all the different exhibits!