::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

To commemorate upcoming Veterans Day and the centennial of World War I, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has announced a public program on the museum’s latest book, We Return Fighting: World War I and the Shaping of Modern Black Identity , Thursday, Nov. 7. Guest curator Krewasky Salter will join Howard University Professor Greg Carr for a one-on-one discussion on the WWI experience told through the lens of African American soldiers, military families, women, anti-war advocates and public intellectuals who played a vital role in WWI and how they hoped to live out post-Civil War expectations of full citizenship upon returning home. The discussion is free and open to the public. More information about the book and the upcoming WWI exhibition is available on the museum’s website . The book event is the highlight of an lively November programming schedule that also features a program on African American feminism with Beverly Guy-She...

buzzz worthy. . . The Smithsonian's African American Museum of History and Culture is interested in acquiring the hoodie slain Florida teen Trayvon Martin wore on the night of his death, the Washington Post reports.  But why place the most painful reminder of the tragedy on display? "Because it's such a symbol, it would allow you to talk about race in the age of Obama," says Museum Director Lonnie Bunch tells the Post.  The black hooded sweatshirt became  statement attire for Trayvon Martin supporters as it was speculated he was profiled based on appearance alone. Currently under construction on 5 acres adjacent to the Washington monument, the museum will open its doors in 2015.  Visitors will view artifacts from the Civil Rights era, the handcuffs from the arrest of professor Henry L. Gates and a theater named in honor of media tycoon Oprah Winfrey, its largest benefactor.  Oprah has donated 13 million dollars to the museum to date. Erstwhile on the natio...