Epic Encounters: King Tut Article

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Epic Encounters was a very enlightening article. It really showed race and political relations between America and Egypt, and White America and African Americans. The King Tut phenomena in the 70’s was more than a simple exhibit in the MET, but a catalyst for talks about middle eastern oil and ancient civilizations. On an international scale the King Tut exhibit was a sign of good relations between America and the Middle East. It showed that we valued their culture, and this opened a door for us to secure oil. On a national scale the King Tut exhibit touched on thoughts about race and white cultural supremacy. Many believed that Egypt became such a dominant civilization because of the migration of Europeans and Asians into that region. This thought was displayed in the way the exhibit was laid out and the through reviews that scholars gave about the exhibit. The African American community did not accept this thought about Egypt and its formation as a great ancient civilization. King Tut represented a role model and a connection to a culturally rich past for African Americans.
This article is really well written and showed the Western European mentality about imperialism and race. America only seemed to acknowledge certain people and cultures when it is convenient for them. Without the riches of Egypt and its accessibility to oil would America have been so inclined to improve relations with this country? If Egypt did not have had such an amazing past would white America have been so ready to put their ancestors in an African country? I think that the answer to both of these questions are, no.