Graham Bowley

In Graham Bowley’s article “In an Era of Strife, Museums Collect History as It Happens” he describes the journey of Aaron Bryant, a curator for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Bowley explains why Bryant believes collecting is crucial in the preservation of black history. Throughout the article, Bowley is effective in showing the importance of collecting history as it is presented through delivery, style, and ethos. The article highlights the work of Bryant and his colleagues by delivering images of relics they accumulated over the years. Powerful photographs of a gas mask, coffins, apparel, and posters signify the protests that occur around the nation. Each item has significance to America’s most recent history. Eric Garner, victim of police brutality, is a symbol used by many protestors to raise awareness in the Black Lives Matter movement. Garner’s face is on a shirt, designed by Ocean Gao, in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Bryant admits that not all articles may not have immediate historical significance, but after sorting materials that were subject to “rapid response collecting,” museums are able to display items that will make an impact on their patrons. Icons used in the
delivery of the message show that this movement of collecting is a heavily visual project. Audiences of The New York Times are well educated, affluent, and diverse; Graham Bowley appeals to readers with his writing style. Although the newspaper may be targeted toward the upper class, most members of society are capable of understanding the formal tone of Bowley’s piece as he expresses the value of collecting items from current events. A mixture of complex and everyday words displays that issues of race, the purpose of many protests, are not relevant in only one class. Statements about cities known for their protests like Charlottesville and Baltimore, grasp the attention of readers from around the country. Bowley’s article helps show any reader that they are able to contribute to the cause of preserving history as his style makes the topic approachable to a vast audience. The New York Times is accredited as a quality, thorough newspaper that is held in high regard; the author’s ethos stands above all others.
With The Times as Bowley’s publisher, his word is held at a higher, more reputable standard than if he was to write for a lesser newspaper. Bowley has a great authority as the writer of this article. He presents a researched case with an official in the museum field, Aaron Bryant, as his informant. The credibility of a writer from NYT and a museum curator of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is secure. The ethos of Bowley’s article assists the audience to realize the benefit of collecting items of current affairs as preservation helps uphold their
meaning. “In an Era of Strife, Museums Collect History as it Happens” opens readers’ minds to the idea that protests of today will be taught in history books decades from now. It is crucial for museums that those taking part in social movements donate material culture in order to conserve tangible history. Articles of clothing, signs, and accessories are among the items that museum directors are compiling into exhibits. Items from Ferguson, Charlottesville, and Baltimore are all prominent in the displays of African American history. Graham Bowley’s use of delivery, style, and ethos accentuate Aaron Bryant’s realization that history is made in the present.