![](http://web.archive.org./web/20151231034012im_/http://media.salon.com/2015/11/david_pilgrim-620x412.jpg)
Why understanding the history of Jim Crow is still essential
"Certainly President Obama has been a cottage industry for racist imagery and racist memorabilia. There was a time in my collecting career, two or three decades ago, when there was a definite dip, in the production, sale and purchase of these really harsh, nasty images. But that has returned. In the museum we have a section of new objects; some of them are made to look old.
I do believe that America is more democratic and egalitarian than it has been for most of its history. But race still matters in the U.S., and negative racial imagery is one way you can see that it matters. You cannot have a race-based incident in the U.S. and not within one week have material objects in the market being sold reflecting the incident."—David Pilgrim on Salon.com
Read more: Salon.com
Review: Collectors Weekly
Listen to Dr. Pilgrim on Nightcall with Peter Werbe
Buy Understanding Jim Crow