Human rights exhibition ?Speak Truth to Power?

Based upon the book ?Speak Truth to Power,? which sparked the formation of a non-profit group of the same name that promotes human rights around the world, the exhibition at the museum features 50 photographic portraits of human rights defenders from 36 countries. The book was written by Kerry Kennedy, with photographs by the late Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Eddie Adams. The book was edited by Nan Richardson, who also serves as curator of the exhibition.

?It is an honor for the Tennessee State Museum to host this exhibition of photography of the greatest human rights leaders from around the world,? said Lois Riggins-Ezzell, executive director of the museum.

?We hope this exhibit will inspire our visitors to believe in their dreams and be willing to understand and help people stand up to their oppressors.?

Some of the human rights activists highlighted in the exhibition are: Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa; the Dalai Lama of Tibet; Vaclav Havel, a Czech playwright; and Elie Wiesel, author and Holocaust survivor.

In addition to the exhibition at the museum, the ?Speak Truth to Power? non-profit organization is also planning two other events in Nashville. On Tue., May 8, country music stars and actors will perform in ?Speak Truth to Power: Voices from beyond the Dark,? a theatrical production based upon the book.

And also on that date, an educational forum will be hosted where area students are invited to participate in an interactive forum with visiting global human rights defenders.

The Tennessee State Museum is located at 505 Deaderick Street in downtown Nashville. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, with free admission on all days. The museum is closed on Mondays.