NewsBreak Original

An unusual thing happened earlier this month, an Orca, known colloquially as a ‘killer whale’ was found in Palm Coast, Florida. Orcas are not commonly found off the coast of the Southeast United States. The last recorded stranding in the region was in Okaloosa County, Florida in 1956.

The continual restoration and revitalization of the Smithsonian Institution's museum complex is set to unveil its newest addition and honor four artists in the process. On Thursday, The National Museum of American History will open its long-awaited entertainment and culture wing and present the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal to Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Dave Grohl and Susan Tedeschi "in honor of their contributions to the American Experience through music."

The power of telling these stories comes from people feeling heard or seen for who they are, whether as an artist or as an audience member. In the words of Nesima Aberra, an Eritrean-American Muslim artist who shared her poetry and music with audiences during a program co-presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the Kennedy Center, “I don’t do this often, but I felt very encouraged and inspired to put myself out there.” This particular performance, called “Now You See Us: From Periphery to Presence,” explored Central and South Asian diaspora narratives that are routinely marginalized within the broader cultural landscape of the United States. It was also the first time that a group of performing artists from four different religious traditions worked together, and I am told that “the stories, laughs, and tears shared were unforgettable.” By activating voices from different racial and religious backgrounds, the Center aspires to build trust and create collaborations that span our differences.