Voices and Votes
Exhibit on ‘Democracy’ now at Green McAdoo Center
Adam Velk, director of the Green McAdoo Cultural Center, stands in front of a display de- picting the right to vote. The display is part of the Smithsonian Institution exhibit “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” currently on display at the center. (photo:Pete Gwada )
The traveling display, “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America,” on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, uses photographs, quotations, videos, games and other means to depict the development of democracy in our country.
“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us.” — President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1938.
The exhibit depicts how “we the people” have shaped our government into what it is today.
The exhibit begins with a display depicting events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” — Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776, That is about what the first settlers did, as they started the world over again with a new form of government.
Next comes a display about the formation of the Constitution. An interactive quiz deals with proposed additions to the Constitution. Agreements and disagreements in the formation of the Constitution are depicted. One of the major disagreements was over slavery.
The exhibit tells the story of enslaved Blacks striving for freedom, women and youth striving for the right to vote, and civil rights advocates struggling against racism.
“The great glory of American democracy is the right to protest for right.” — Martin Luther King Jr., 1955.
Velk says protest movements are depicted impartially in the display, which showcases signs used in various protest movements around our country.
Another display highlights presidential campaign memorabilia.
The exhibit will be on display through May 6. The Green McAdoo Cultural Center is at 101 School St., Clinton.
Its hours are 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
In connection with the exhibit, there is a podcast at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays dealing with such topics as voting, the media and presidential elections.
Information about the podcast can be found on the center’s website greenmcadoocenter.org.