W.E.B. Du Bois, Addison Scurlock, Gelatin sliver print, 1911, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Let Your Motto Be Resistance
Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits is the museum's inaugural exhibition from the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.
The exhibition's theme, African American resistance across 150 years of U.S. history, was inspired by the words of Henry Highland Garnet, an abolitionist and clergyman.
On August 16, 1843, Garnet spoke to a group of northern free blacks gathered to discuss the future prospects of black America. Frustrated at the lack of progress, he advocated action:
“Strike for your lives and liberties. Let your motto be Resistance! Resistance! RESISTANCE! What kind of resistance you make you must decide by the circumstances that surround you.”
Please visit our Inaugural Exhibition, Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits, on view from October 19 through March 2, 2008 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets N.W., Washington, D.C.
Share Your Memory 
Tell us your stories or share your family photos and oral traditions by adding them to the National Museum of African American History & Culture Memory Book.
Get Involved in helping to build the National Museum of African American History and Culture by making a tax deductible gift donation.
Building the Museum
The National Museum of African American History and Culture, in conjunction with the National Capital Planning Commission, will prepare a National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in keeping with the National Historic Preservation Act. A public hearing on the EIS was held on Thursday, January 10, 2008. For more information on the hearing and the EIS part of the building design process, go to the website.
Click the More link below to see the site location and general building overview.
