joseph trammell, a black man, was born a slave in virginia in 1831. he was 21, he was freed, and surely believed he had some measure of liberty so long as he had his tin wallet with him. when he was stopped, he invariably had to affect a servile posture to the whites who demanded to know who, why and how come, and what for. the very sight of him-- no slave tag, no white supervision in sight-- was terrifying. an errant and aimlessly roaming negro, going about his ordinary days. his family undoubtedly reminded him, be non-threatening, say "yes, ma'am, no, sir," affect servility, cower, even. just don't get killed. i was having an ordinary day not long ago when, in my upscale and overwhelmingly white washington, d.c. neighborhood where i have lived for the past 25 years, my dog wilson and i walked past an apartment building just across the street from my own. as wilson paused, a blustery white man appeared and bellowed at me to not let my dog stop there. then he demanded to know if i lived in his neighborhood. i asked why it was a pertinent question. he

the most powerful, often the most humble like freed slave joseph trammell's wallet protecting his information because of that, we've been able sacred space. >> reporter: the music has recorded thousands of visitors sharing their reactions to the often emotional exhibits. an i lived through that period, d i am so happy today that things have changed and relate them to today. >> you have to be optimistic. the enslaved people on whose shoulders i stand, who didn't get the chances i get, because of them, america is a different place, and i believe very strongly that we continue to ake america a better place. >> this museum is at the center of that. >> absolutely. there's no doubt this museum has a political agenda, to make america better. >> what bunch told us, what really struck him in the fefrts fep, they have spe t and tissues are provided. >> you need tissues. have you been through it, bianna? >> i have not. >> put it on your list. it is the most popularet people can't get in, and it's free. >> it's a perfect example of why they're so magnificent. >> how they rose up the make it it what it is

the most powerful often the most humble, like freed slave joseph trammell's tin wallet handmade to protecte what is so moving about people trusting the museum to be able to take those amazing documents and those artifacts, in essence because of that we've been able to create a sacred space. >> reporter: the museum has recorded thousands of visitors sharing their reactions to the often emotional exhibits. >> i lived through that period and i am so happy today that things have changed. >> reporter: and relate them to today. >> our children are still very much at risk. >> reporter: throught all, bunch's message is one of hope. >> when you're a historian of black america you have to be optimistic. the enslaved people on whose shoulders i stand who didn't get the chances i get, because of them america's a different place and i believe very strongly that we continue to make america a better place. >> and this museum is at the center of that. >> absolutely. there is no doubt that this museum has a political agenda, to make america better. >> reporter: now, bunch told us what really has struck him