When I first read about the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art in one of my guidebooks (either Fodor's or Frommer's) I though it would be cool to visit because we are Jewish. I imagined that it was probably a small collection in someone's basement and the kids would be upset with me for taking them to a "boring" stop. I thought even if it only took 15 minutes, we should still check it out. Well, I could not have been more wrong. Driving up we were blown away by the beautiful building which is also home to the Jewish Community Center of Tulsa.
From the name of the museum, you might think it would appeal to a small group of people mainly Jews, but believe me—this museum’s beauty and amazing displays would captivate any visitor. The museum is a state-of-the-art structure beautifully put together. Yes, there are lots of religious artifacts and a nice overview of the history of Jews in Tulsa (which shocked me as Tulsa is not a place I readily associate with a thriving Jewish community) but there are also beautifully curated temporary exhibits. The one we saw dealt with the Jewish immigrant experience in America and was fascinating.
There was so much to take in, but what really grabbed our attention was the exhibit on the history of the Ku Klux Klan and their prejudice against the Jews and African Americans in the Tulsa area. Of course, we’ve all seen dramatic movies and things on TV that show Klan gatherings and their activities, but to stand in front of one of those hooded garments sends a chill down to your bones that is hard to describe. Living in California this was something we'd only vaguely heard about as the KKK never had much of a presence there. Looking at that robe and hood left and impression on me that I will never soon forget for I felt like I was in the presence of pure hatred and intolerance. I tried to imagine what it would be like to come face to face with someone dressed like this or to find a burning cross on my lawn. I don't scare easily but I am not ashamed to say I would be terrified. Also on display were their flyers and pamphlets that spewed hatred, telling Jews and African Americans to leave the local areas-one blared out "Jew bastards leave Okmulgee" in large bold letters. Okmulgee, not far from Tulsa, had been the base of some Klan Activity.
Later as we rode to Oklahoma City, we passed through Okmulgee. My son Joel who was 8, remembering the name from the exhibit, started to panic worrying that the Klan was going to come after us. I reassured him we were safe and that the Klan could never hurt us. As unsettling as it was, it was also an important teaching moment. Diversity is something that makes this country great, and it’s important to show your children why we all must preserve and protect it, and to not live in fear of closed minded hate filled individuals. We should never be afraid to stand up for who we are. In the words of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, "We shall overcome" and we have, witness our first African American President.
