Visit to the National WWII Museum (2 pts) - Kai Washington (Class of 2028)

     At the beginning of the new year, I had the opportunity to visit the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. The museum featured various exhibits detailing different movements and strategies within the war. A lot of the information focused on military logistics, planning, and statistics, which deepened my understanding of the scale and complexity of the war itself. As I moved through the exhibits, I became more aware of how historical narratives are shaped by what is emphasized and what receives less attention. I noticed that the contributions of people of color and women were only mentioned briefly, which allowed me to reflect on how easily these perspectives can be overshadowed in broader historical storytelling. Seeing women featured prominently in the museum's promotional materials around the city also highlighted for me the difference between visibility and depth of representation. This experience encouraged me to think more critically about how museums communicate history and whose stories are centered. This shapes not only what visitors learn, but how they understand the past. 

Kai Washington