Manufactured by

Unidentified

Subject of

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, founded 1908

Grays, Mattelia B., American

Medium

metal

Dimensions

1 1/16 x 7/8 x 1/8 in. (2.7 x 2.2 x 0.3 cm)

Type

logos

Date

1970

Description

An Alpha Kappa Alpha metal logo with a small metal loop attached to the top. The gold, circular pendant has a gavel embossed at the top. Text underneath the gavel reads “P I N / Personal Involvement Now.”

Topic

African American

Education

Sororities

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Historical Society of Washington, DC and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Object number

2013.133.2.19

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Unidentified

Subject of

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, founded 1908

Bernice Sumlin, American, born 1926

Medium

metal

Dimensions

1 1/8 x 7/8 x 1/8 in. (2.9 x 2.2 x 0.3 cm)

Type

logos

Date

1974

Description

An Alpha Kappa Alpha metal logo with a small metal loop attached to the top. The rectangular pendant has brass ivy vines over a yellowish background. At the top of the pendant is “SORORITY.” At the center of the pendant is “A K A” embossed vertically.

Topic

African American

Education

Sororities

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Historical Society of Washington, DC and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Object number

2013.133.2.20

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Unidentified

Subject of

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, founded 1908

Barbara Phillips, American, 1938 - 2013

Medium

metal

Dimensions

7/8 x 3/4 x 1/8 in. (2.2 x 1.9 x 0.3 cm)

Type

logos

Date

1978

Description

An Alpha Kappa Alpha metal logo with a small metal loop attached to the top. The pendant is a small circle that has a compass rose at center that divides the pendant’s face into four sections. The left section has a hand holding a diploma, the top section has a scale, the right section has a hand holding a gavel and the bottom section has a domed building.

Topic

African American

Education

Sororities

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Historical Society of Washington, DC and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Object number

2013.133.2.21

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Recorded by

The Last Poets, American, founded 1968

Owned by

El-Hadi, Suliaman, American, 1936 - 1995

Medium

plastic and tape

Dimensions

H x W x D: 2 9/16 × 4 × 1/2 in. (6.5 × 10.2 × 1.3 cm)

Type

audio cassettes

Place depicted

Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

April 29, 1978

Description

Black cassette tape with white and pink label. Handwritten information appears on both sides of cassette tape. Side 1 of cassette tape has handwritten information reading, [THE Last PoEts & M.P.C. At/AubuRn CoRRECtional Facility/#2/4-29-78]. Side 2 of cassette tape has handwritten information reading, [PoEts & M.P.C.].

Topic

African American

Hip hop (Music)

Prisons

Spoken word (Poetry)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Qaddafi El-Hadi in memory of Suliaman El-Hadi

Object number

2014.40.6

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Audio Recordings

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Danska, Herbert, American, born 1927

Subject of

Luciano, Felipe, American, born 1948

Kain, Gylan, American

Nelson, David, American

Medium

photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image and sheet): 5 x 7 in. (12.7 x 17.8 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Date

1971

Description

A black-and-white photograph of The Last Poets. The image features from left to right, Gylan Kain, Felipe Luciano, and David Nelson. Kain is pictured seated, in profile, wearing a light colored shirt. Luciano is pictured standing, center, in a dark-colored turtleneck with his proper right fist raised in a black power gesture. Nelson is pictured standing, in profile, wearing a leather jacket.

On the verso is a stamped inscription reading [ "RIGHT ON!" / A FILM BY HERBERT DANSKA / WRITTEN BY AND STARRING / KAIN | DAVID NELSON | FELIPE LUCIANO / A WOODIE KING JR. PRODUCTION / A LEACOCK PENNEBAKER RELEASE / cable: FILMAKERS, U.S.A.].

Topic

African American

Film

Hip hop (Music)

Photography

Spoken word (Poetry)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Herbert Danska

Object number

2012.38.1

Restrictions & Rights

© Herbert Danska

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Exhibition

Represent: Hip Hop Photography

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Second Floor, 2 050

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Donaldson, Jeff, American, 1932 - 2004

Subject of

AfriCOBRA, founded 1968

Medium

paint, foil, and ink on cardboard

Dimensions

H x W (artwork): 36 1/4 × 25 9/16 in. (92 × 65 cm)

H x W x D (frame): 38 1/16 × 27 7/16 × 1 3/4 in. (96.7 × 69.7 × 4.5 cm)

Type

paintings

mixed media

Date

1971

Description

This mixed media artwork by Jeff Donaldson shows the Wives of Sango. Three women are visible in the painting. The woman in the center is facing outward dressed in white. The other two women are in 3/4 profile facing either side of the frame. The woman on the left is dressed in shades of red and pink with a silver-colored diamond patterned neckline with small cutouts. The woman on the right is wearing a headband and is dressed in shades of green and yellow. All three women have gold- and silver-colored foil accents and are wearing weaponry including knives and ammunition belts. At the bottom in silver-colored foil is text that reads [OYA · OSUN / AND OBA WIVES OF SANGO]. At the center bottom is a double headed axe symbol. The artist signed the work at the bottom. The artwork is floating in a white frame.

Topic

African American

Africa

African diaspora

Art

Black power

Religion

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2017.33.1

Restrictions & Rights

© Jeff Donaldson

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Visual Arts

On View

Tate Modern (Bankside)

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Donaldson, Jeff, American, 1932 - 2004

Subject of

Jackson, Jonathan, American, 1953 - 1970

Haley, Harold Joseph, American, 1904 - 1970

Black Panther Party, American, 1966 - 1982

AfriCOBRA, founded 1968

Medium

paint on cardboard with ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W (artwork): 29 1/8 × 19 5/16 in. (74 × 49 cm)

H x W x D (frame): 31 1/8 × 21 3/16 × 1 3/4 in. (79.1 × 53.8 × 4.5 cm)

Type

paintings

mixed media

Place depicted

San Rafael, Marin County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date

1970

Description

This mixed media work is Jeff Donaldson's interpretation of a photograph taken of the 1970 Marin County courthouse incident. The original newspaper photograph and caption can be seen in the center of the image. The figure on the left in the artwork has his left hand outstretched and the source image in the palm of his hand. In the original photograph, the man on the left is James McClain. In both images, he is holding a gun in his right hand at eye level pointed toward the figure on the right. Unlike McClain in the newspaper photograph, the man in the painting is wearing a black and white horizontally striped shirt with white numbers, [81970], on a black strip reminiscent of prison clothing. He is also wearing tan pants and a white jacket.

The figure on the right in the original image is California Superior Court Judge Harold Haley dressed in black court dress robes. In Donaldson's mixed media piece, the black robes are partially visible but Haley's figure has a skull in place of his head and is reaching toward the man on the left. The piece is multicolored. In the center is black text on a white background that reads [GLASS] and repeats [-SS] below. To the left of the skull is [A] in the stars and stripes pattern of the American flag. The artist signed the work at the bottom. The artwork is floating in a white frame.

Topic

African American

Art

Black power

Law

Mass media

Prisons

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2017.33.2

Restrictions & Rights

© Jeff Donaldson

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Visual Arts

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Published by

Los Angeles Times, founded 1881

Medium

ink on paper (fiber product)

Type

clippings

Date

1976

Description

A copy of a 1976 commentary in the Los Angeles Times titled, "Looking for the Bicentennial Man." The article discusses Baldwin's views on the state of the United States 200 years after its independence. Baldwin was invited by the LA Times to write this article while residing in the South of France.

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Communication

Literature

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.13

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Converse, American, founded 1908

Worn by

Julius Erving, American, born 1950

Signed by

Julius Erving, American, born 1950

Received by

"Doc" Stanley, American

Subject of

Philadelphia 76ers, American, founded 1963

Medium

leather, rubber and cloth

Dimensions

H x W (2015.115.1a left): 7 × 4 1/2 in. (17.8 × 11.4 cm)

H x W (215.115.1b right): 7 3/16 × 4 1/2 in. (18.3 × 11.4 cm)

Type

sneakers

Date

ca. 1981

Description

A pair of white and red Converse sneakers worn and autographed by Julius Erving. The sneakers are predominantly white with red stars and red chevrons on both sides. Printed in red ink on the outward facing side of the shoes is: [DR J]. The laces are white and run from the edge of the vamp to the top of the tongue. The tongue is white with red lettering that reads: [All Star / Converse].The interior is red. The back top portion of the shoe has a red background with the Converse logo in red and white. The rubber soles are white with a thatched pattern and an imprint that reads: [Converse / All Star / Made In USA]. Both sneakers are signed in black ink on the outward facing side. The proper left side of the left shoe (2015.115.1a) has Erving's signature and reads: [Julius Erving / # 6]. The proper right side of the right shoe (2015.115.1b) reads: [To Mel from / "Dr J" 3/81].

Topic

African American

Athletes

Basketball

Clothing and dress

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.115.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Clothing-Historical

Tools and Equipment-Sports and Recreational

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Rev. Anderson, Henry Clay, American, 1911 - 1998

Subject of

Edwards, Sharon Kaye, American

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on acetate film

Dimensions

H x W: 5 x 4 in (12.7 x 10.2 cm)

Type

negatives

portraits

Place made

Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi, United States

Date

1979

Caption

Anderson took this image of Sharon Kaye Edwards in his studio in 1979. The image was for her passport photo so that Edwards could travel to Germany with her husband who was in the military.

Description

A photographic negative of a woman, Sharon Kaye Edwards, sitting on a bench in the interior of Anderson's studio.

Topic

African American

American South

Communities

Photography

Segregation

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2007.1.69.21.15.D

Restrictions & Rights

© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Coleman, Floyd, American, 1939 - 2018

Medium

acrylic paint on canvas

Dimensions

H x W: 52 × 64 × 1 1/4 in. (132.1 × 162.6 × 3.2 cm)

Type

acrylic paintings

Date

1972

Description

This is an acrylic painting that depicts an abstract interpretation of a female figure. Done against a black background the shape is located primarily in the bottom left quadrant and partial top left quadrant of the painting. The bottom left features a wide swath of orange, topped with several textured shapes in shades of yellow, light brown, and grey. Shapes are clearly delineated by borders done in darker shades or alternate colors. Some shapes are patterned with narrow stripes and brush strokes. Above the figure is a grey rectangle outlined in green. Within the rectangle is a darker grey shape roughly resembling the head of an axe. There is a green horizontal line in the bottom right quadrant of the painting.

Topic

African American

Africa

Art

Religion

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kera and Bennie F. Johnson

Object number

2011.102.2

Restrictions & Rights

© 1972 Floyd Coleman

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Visual Arts

Exhibition

Visual Art and the American Experience

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Playbill, American, founded 1884

Used by

Richard Rodgers Theatre, American, founded 1925

Subject of

Capers, Virginia, American, 1925 - 2004

Morton, Joe, American, born 1947

Jackson, Ernestine, American

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 5 5/8 in. (22.9 x 14.3 cm)

Type

theater programs

Place used

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1973

Description

Playbill for Raisin. White background with pink, orange, and yellow box at top; graphic below of man doing cartwheel on the title letters. [PLAYBILL/MAGAZINE/46th Street/Theatre/RAISIN] White circular sticker on back, handwritten 1973.

Topic

African American

Broadway Theatre

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kayla Deigh Owens

Object number

2011.45.82

Restrictions & Rights

Playbill used by permission. All rights reserved, Playbill Inc.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Playbill, American, founded 1884

Used by

Mark Hellinger Theatre, American, 1930 - 1991

Subject of

Kitt, Eartha, American, 1927 - 2008

Moore, Melba, American, born 1945

Price, Gilbert, American, 1942 - 1991

Hawkins, Ira

Bell, George

Hubbard, Bruce

McCoy, Eleanor

Barton, Dan, American, 1921 - 2009

Godreau, Miguel, Puerto Rican, 1947 - 1996

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 5 5/8 in. (22.9 x 14.3 cm)

Type

theater programs

Place used

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1978

Description

Playbill for Timbuktu! White background with yellow box at top; grey box below with graphic of robbed figures wearing headdresses while standing under umbrellas. [PLAYBILL/MARK HELLINGER THEATRE/TIMBUKTU!] White circular sticker on back, handwritten 1978.

Topic

African American

Broadway Theatre

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kayla Deigh Owens

Object number

2011.45.94

Restrictions & Rights

Playbill used by permission. All rights reserved, Playbill Inc.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Playbill, American, founded 1884

Used by

Gershwin Theatre, American, founded 1972

Subject of

Joplin, Scott, American, 1867 - 1917

Balthrop, Carmen, American

Allen, Betty, American, 1927 - 2009

Rayam, Curtis, American, born 1951

White, Willard, Jamaican-born British, born 1946

Harney, Ben, American, born 1952

Johnson, Cora

Hicks, Kenneth, American, born 1952

Duckens, Dorceal, American

Ransom, Dwight

Bazemore, Raymond

Pierson, Edward

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 5 5/8 in. (22.9 x 14.3 cm)

Type

theater programs

Place used

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1975

Description

Playbill for Scott Joplin's Treemonisha. White background with yellow box at top; black box below with photograph of performers dancing and singing with a man and woman with locked arms at center. [PLAYBILL/PALACE THEATRE/SCOTT joPLIN's/TREEMONISHA] White circular sticker on back, handwritten 1975.

Topic

African American

Broadway Theatre

Musical Theatre

Ragtime (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kayla Deigh Owens

Object number

2011.45.96

Restrictions & Rights

Playbill used by permission. All rights reserved, Playbill Inc.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Recorded by

Ross, Diana, American, born 1944

Distributed by

Motown Record Corporation, American, founded 1959

Owned by

Ginger Smock, American, 1920 - 1995

Medium

record (a): vinyl;

jacket (b): ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W (album jacket): 12 5/16 × 12 5/16 in. (31.3 × 31.3 cm)

Diameter (record): 12 in. (30.5 cm)

Type

long-playing records

Date

1978

Description

A twelve-inch 33 1/3 rpm LP recording of the album "Ross" recorded by Diana Ross. The front of the album cover is yellow and has an illustration of Diana Ross wearing a white dress. She is in front of a green plant. Her right arm is raised and her hand is behind her head. She is holding a cigarette in her right hand. The smoke of the cigarette spells “Ross.” The word “Diana” is at the top center of the album cover in white.

Topic

African American

Rhythm and blues (Music)

Singers (Musicians)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lydia Samuel Bennett

Object number

2016.161.3.5ab

Restrictions & Rights

© 1978 Motown Record Corporation. Permission required for use.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Audio Recordings

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Bristow, American

Subject of

Chisholm, Shirley Anita, American, 1924 - 2005

Medium

metal

Dimensions

H x W x D: 1 3/8 × 1 1/4 × 3/16 in. (3.5 × 3.2 × 0.5 cm)

Type

buttons (information artifacts)

Place made

Box 1741, Santa Cruz, California, United States, North and Central America

Date

1972

Description

A circular metal pin-back button. The button has a white background with red type that reads: [Liberty & Equality] around the top edge of the button, and [Chisholm / 72] in the center. The bottom of the button has a depiction of the bust of the Statue of Liberty (in black), with red lines coming out from it and going to the edges of the button. The edge of the button has [Bristow Box 1741 Santa Cruz CA 9504] written on it in red type. The edge of the button also has a red logo. The back of the button is silver in color, but has some rust marks. The pin does not have a clasp.

Topic

African American

Politics (Practical)

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2014.76.6

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Exhibition

Making a Way Out of No Way

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 050

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Della Reese, American, 1937 - 2017

Medium

ink , paper (fiber product) , glass , metal

Dimensions

H x W (drawing): 23 1/2 × 21 1/4 in. (59.7 × 54 cm)

H x W x D (frame): 27 1/4 × 24 1/4 × 3/4 in. (69.2 × 61.6 × 1.9 cm)

Type

drawings

portraits

Date

circa 1970

Description

Framed collage-style drawing featuring three images of Della Reese. The drawing is done entirely in black, gray, and white. In each image, she is pictured from the chest up, holding a microphone. The largest image is at the top right. It shows the woman with a gray streak in her black hair, her eyes closed, mouth open and hands raised. On the left, she wears a floral patterned garment, with her mouth open as if she is singing. The lowest image appears to have been done on a separate sheet of paper and overlaid with the other drawing. It shows her smiling and wearing a garment with a decorated neckline. The drawing is in a black metal frame on brown mat board with a tan border. The drawing is signed along a flower stem at lower left [dick Ell-(illegible)].

Topic

African American

Actors

Entertainers

Singers (Musicians)

Television

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Rev. Della Reese-Lett and Mr. Franklin Lett

Object number

2015.150.3

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Visual Arts

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Exhibition

Watching Oprah: The Oprah Winfrey Show and American Culture

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse, C 050

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Polydor Records, German, founded 1924

Recorded by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium

(2010.34.8a): vinyl;

(2010.34.8b): ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W (sleeve): 7 x 7 3/16 in. (17.8 x 18.3 cm)

Diameter (record): 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)

Type

45 rpm records

Date

1973

Description

A 45 rpm record of The Payback Part I and The Payback Part II by James Brown. The record label has black text on a red background and the Polydor logo across the top. A depiction of James Brown is also featured on the label.

Topic

African American

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2010.34.8ab

Restrictions & Rights

© Universal Music Group. Permission required for use.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Audio Recordings

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 137

Subject of

Young Lords Party, American, founded 1969

Medium

metal, plastic, paper

Dimensions

Diameter: 1 1/2 × 3/16 in. (3.8 × 0.5 cm)

Type

buttons (information artifacts)

Date

ca. 1968

Description

A Young Lords pinback button. The front of the button has a vertical depiction of the Puerto Rican flag as its background. An image of a rifle in black crosses the center of the flag. Black type at the bottom of the button reads: [YOUNG LORDS PARTY]. The back of the button has a pin with a fastener and an engraving with a design. The text of the engraving reads: [Local 137].

Topic

African American

Activism

Political organizations

Politics (Practical)

United States--History--1969-2001

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2014.109.7.5

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Exhibition

A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 1, C1 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture