Faith & (in)Justice Exhibit through Dec. 5
December 5 All day
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Included with general admission
See the Faith & (in)Justice Exhibit at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center from May 23 to December 5.
The Declaration of Independence declares that “all men are created equal… and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Faith & (in)Justice traces America’s two-and-a-half-century struggle for equity and the role of the country’s three largest religions – Christianity, Islam, and Judaism – in that struggle.
From the impact of slavery and the struggle for freedom and civil rights to matters of gender and LGBTQ+ equality, economic parity, and environmental justice, Faith & (in)Justice highlights the role of religion in the nation’s social justice movements. Through five sections, the exhibition challenges guests to rethink entrenched stereotypes of religion and to critically consider where faith and equity coincide and collide.
The exhibition uses artifacts, photographs, moving images, and music to immerse guests in foundational moments in the nation’s social justice struggle. Among the artifacts included in the exhibition are:
- A pair of boxing gloves signed by Muhammad Ali, who refused to be drafted for the Vietnam War because of his religious beliefs
- A sample of lead-contaminated water from Flint, Michigan, where churches helped fill the civil services gap to provide clean water
- A Ku Klux Klan robe owned by an Ohio Quaker family
- A facsimile of Thomas Jefferson’s The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, where he cut and pasted passages from six copies of the New Testament.
A recreated praise house, where enslaved people would gather on plantations in the South, surrounds guests as they learn about the early history of the Black Church.
After exploring the topics that “should not be talked about at the dinner table,” the exhibition invites guests to sit down at a dinner table to discuss the role and responsibility of faith groups in social justice movements.
Admission to Faith & (in)Justice
Admission to Faith & (in)Justice is included with general admission. The exhibit is free for Members and on Fifth Third Community Days on the following dates:
- August 17
- August 31
- September 21
- October 19
- November 16
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Venue Details
Parking
The main museum entrance is on the first floor, facing the riverfront on East Freedom Way.
An accessible public garage is adjacent to the museum, and limited, metered street parking is available nearby. Use Cincy EZ Park as appropriate. Arrive using Cincinnati METRO.
Accessibility
Visitors can access each National Underground Railroad Freedom Center floor via elevator. Accessible restrooms are available on the museum’s first, third, and fourth floors. Wheelchairs and Electronic Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) can be rented from the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis. If you need accommodations or have any questions about accessibility resources, please contact the Freedom Center in advance at [email protected].
Additional Downtown Excursions
Discover Black-owned businesses in downtown Cincinnati, from flavorful restaurants and sweet dessert spots to cozy coffee shops, stylish clothing boutiques, lively nightclubs, and more.
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