Recognition, Reflection, Rejoice
- Gail D Austin
- May 9, 2019
- 2 min read
There are moments when you step into the stillness and feel the magnitude of the larger world.
Visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture creates that moment over and over again as you take in our beginnings, our truths, our pain, our joy, our triumph, our on-going journey. The Founding Director of the museum, Lonnie G. Bunch III stated—This is an American story told through the lens of African Americans. I cannot say this better as there is truth in his words.
This museum does what many museums hope to achieve, having its visitors experience moments… each moment unique to that visitor. I want to honor your moment of revelation when you visit the museum and will only share a few photos here. Why? I am still processing my experience unique to me, different from my mother’s and different from my daughter’s who visited the museum with me.
With that said, here are a few key moments in words and pictures from our visit. In the coming weeks and months, as a moment moves to the surface, I will continue to share more and seek out more truths.
Moments:
You are met with these powerful words on the first placard when you enter Concourse level 3 – Slavery & Freedom… “For the first time, people saw other human beings as commodities—things to be bought, sold, and exploited to make enormous profits.”
The delicate perfection in Harriet Tubman’s shawl, a woman who escaped slavery and went back to save so many
The power of words… James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, Sam Cooke, and more
The power of will… so many stood up, so many died for freedom
The power of music… Jazz to R&B to Rock to Pop to Hip Hop
The will of determination to be the best you can be… athlete, poet, politician, activist, artist, musician, military solider, vocalist
My Mother’s joy when during her ancestor search, she found her grandfather, her grandmother, her mother, and her mother’s brothers and sisters in the 1930 census
Catching portions of a docent’s message to a group of DC Metropolitan police officers through the exhibit—a lesson in understanding and tolerance
I left cementing within me my truth… I am a seeker and a sharer… seeking truth and sharing and hopefully inspiring others to truly see #NMAAHC #BlackHistory #AmericanHistory #Truth #Knowledge #History @Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
I encourage everyone to visit this National treasure.
It has been 6 years since my visit but I can recall my time spent in this sacred space as if it were yesterday. African-American History is American History!