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He was modest but tough, brilliant but unassuming, tireless but compassionate, strong but understanding and he gained a position and a reputation in the world at large that any man might well envy. Even those who disagreed with him held him in the highest respect. Even those who opposed him never lost faith in his absolute fairness and integrity. And no one could doubt that beneath his extraordinary ability and performance was a driving passion for peace, for justice and for human decency and dignity.
- U Thant, United Nations Secretary-General 1971 Funeral Address for Ralph Bunche
From 1946 to 1950 the building now housing the Museum was the home of the United Nations General Assembly and no single UN figure accomplished more in that short time than 1950 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Under-Secretary-General and Queens resident Ralph Bunche. Ralph Bunche: Diplomat for Peace and Justice presents the life and numerous contributions of this extraordinary man through documentary photographs, important writings and artifacts from both his personal and professional lives. Film footage and works of contemporary and historical art addressing the three issues that dominated his efforts as a statesman and a human being - U.S. race relations, African decolonization and peace in the Middle East - provide a fuller understanding of the impact Bunche had on the world.
Using a didactic timeline to lead a journey of discovery through the civil rights movement, the partition of Palestine and self-governing efforts throughout Africa, the exhibition not only illustrates why Bunche’s work was so important at the time, but also demonstrates why the work he did remains so relevant today.
Ralph Bunche: Diplomat for Peace and Justice features important works of art that address the issues to which Bunche dedicated his life. Artists that were contemporaries of Bunche - Archibald Motley, Augusta Savage and Charles White - as well as contemporary artists - Radcliffe Bailey, Doron Solomons and installation artists Brad McCallum and Jacqueline Tarry - provide additional insight into Bunche’s life through their poignant work.
Opening Reception for Ralph Bunche: Diplomat for Peace and Justice and Nexus: Taiwan in Queens
Sunday, April 18, 3 - 6 pm
All are invited to the public opening reception for Ralph Bunche: Diplomat for Peace and Justice and Nexus: Taiwan in Queens. Featured Nexus artists, Massage Group, will present a performance piece. For more information about the upcoming events, visit the Museum website or call 718-592-9700 x222.
Funding
Ralph Bunche: Diplomat for Peace and Justice is made possible by The Nathan Cummings Foundation, the New York Council on the Humanities, Con Edison, William Greaves Productions and Blatt Billiards. Additional support for the emerging artist projects was provided by The Lily Auchincloss Foundation, The Greenwall Foundation, American Center Foundation and the Cowles Charitable Trust. The Media Sponsors are WCBS Channel 2 and the Amsterdam News. Special thanks to Ralph Bunche’s Biographer, Brian Urquhart, as well as to Genie Guerard (The Department of Special Collections, University of California, Los Angeles), Benjamin Rivlin and Letizia Paoloni (The Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, City University of New York, Graduate Center) and to Joan Bunche.
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