Delbert Richardson talks 'The Unspoken Truths' and the Upcoming 'THE LION TELLS HIS TALE'" on The Day With Trae
Photos by Susan Fried
In a recent episode of "The Day With Trae," host Trae Holiday was joined by Delbert Richardson, the visionary behind the American History Traveling Museum: "The Unspoken Truths." Richardson shared insights into the museum and teased an exciting upcoming production at Intiman Theatre titled "THE LION TELLS HIS TALE," which will star Richardson himself.
"I'm a researcher, and I'm also a wounded warrior," Richardson said. "I'm a truth-teller. My work is rooted in awareness, curiosity, critical inquiry, and self-discovery."
Starting the segment, Delbert reflected on the origins of his museum. Born and raised in Detroit, Richardson reflected on how his childhood and his parents' experiences under Jim Crow shaped his perception of identity.
"I didn't know that I could call myself Black, and it's a positive connotation," Richardson said. "Because being born in 1954, the word Black was not something that was used in the neighborhood because we had been socialized to believe that Black as a word or a term had a negative connotation."
In 1973, Richardson underwent a transformative experience when he witnessed students at the University of Washington proudly embracing their Black identity.
"They had made a decision on how they wanted to be seen, and Stokely Carmichael had been to Garfield, I think, a year or two before, and it had rocked Seattle's world," Richardson said. "So there's this consciousness shift, my language around identity."
Later in his life, while on vacation in Cannon Beach, Oregon, Richardson stumbled upon an antique store searching for a way to pass the time. There, he came across a fruit crate label featuring a Black caricature, sparking the beginning of his museum.
"It wasn't uncommon for apples to be picked and put in a crate, and on the side, there would be an image. Well, I didn't know that this is one of the ways that we were commercialized and capitalized," Richardson said. I bought it simply out of curiosity because the reality is I didn't see myself in any other vein other than Cream of Wheat or Aunt Jemima salt & pepper shakers. This was curious to me."
Starting as a collector, it was during this period that he recognized the potential for uncovering significant artifacts within the realm of Black Americana. That collection has now expanded to Richardson's calling, showcasing "Unspoken" Truths through various items from different eras containing rich heritages to educate others.
"I didn't know I had been called until I understood what a calling was. I'm not trying to say I'm not religious. I didn't have that particular upbringing in church. We were made to go to church, like most Black families," Richardson said. "So when I had a choice, I didn't go to church. When I started understanding what a calling was, then it made sense that what I was doing was God-led."
Citing an interview by the Seattle Times in 2005, Richardson continued, "What I've come to learn is that the creator was preparing the world for my work. And I say that because, in 2005, it wasn't a black president. It wasn't a racial Social Justice Initiative. White supremacy as a term had not been coined, and so my work was, for the most part, being embraced and nurtured by me until Seattle was ready."
Richardson views the museum as a vital educational platform, fostering an environment where often overlooked narratives can thrive. This whole framing of American history through an Afro-centric lens was really about, hopefully, our grandchildren will be in a healthier position. Not to say they're not healthy now, but healthier to understand that everything they would ever want is already inside them," he explained. "We've been socialized—I know I have—that my history starts with slavery. And that's just not true. So that's why I started the museum with Mother Africa, and I call it American history."
As of right now, Richardson is collaborating with playwright Vida Oliphant Sneed to curate an immersive theatrical experience titled "THE LION TELLS HIS TALE," utilizing the museum's work with live performances on stage at Intiman Theatre from May 1st to May 5th. Secure your tickets for this event here. For inquiries or to connect with Richardson directly, you can reach out via phone at 206-604-3932 or email at Delbert.Richardson54@gmail.com.
For more interviews with people like Richardson, tune into Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.
