Folsom museum explores image of African Americans in popular culture

Some call the historic depictions of blacks in the media offensive, but for one El Dorado Hills woman, those images, and the stories behind them, need to be told.Esther Roman, 64, has loaned her collection of black memorabilia to the Folsom History Museum for an exhibit dubbed "The Evolution of the Black Image." The exhibit is being shown in honor of Black History Month.Roman has been collecting the pieces for about two decades and some of them date back almost 100 years."Not all of these things are seen in a favorable light by African Americans," Roman said. "They should be shown (even though) some people don't like them. It's important."Advertisements, dolls, board games, children's books, movie posters, magazines, album covers and items from Sambo's restaurant are on display. The exhibit finishes with a cardboard cutout of President Barack Obama.Museum Director Karen Mehring said she is sensitive to the nature of the exhibit and a warning has been posted at the entrance to let visitors know some of the images and language used are offensive."This exhibit came to us at a time the nation is changing its image now that we've elected our first African American president," she said. "Just 30 or 40 years ago, people were viewing images of black people that weren't positive."Roman said that while some of the images are offensive, it's important to remember how blacks were once perceived."There is a lot of pain in a lot of these items for a lot of people," Roman said. "To sugarcoat it and make it something it isn't, doesn't explain the history. … To not show them would be covering up part of history."She said she was happy the exhibit was able to come together, especially in light of the election and inauguration."The timing of the exhibit was excellent," Roman said. "It coincided with a lot of things -- Martin Luther King Day, Black History Month and President Barack Obama."She envisions the exhibit going on tour to high schools and colleges so students can learn about the past.Mehring believes it would be a good experience for the entire family particularly those of the younger generation who are unfamiliar with segregation."Everybody should come see it," she said. "We had one older gentleman who left here in tears. He said he was proud of the way we presented it."The exhibit runs through March 8. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for those over 12 and children under that age are free. The museum is located at 823 Sutter Street in Folsom. For more information, call 985-2707 or visit www.folsomhistorymuseum.org.