When I saw our first Black president Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Will Smith stand proudly outside of the momentous five-story monument, I knew that I wanted to feel that same sense of pride. As a frequent museum-goer, it had been on my list since the day it opened.
During a recent trip to New York City, I finally had the time to take the four-hour drive to Washington, D.C., and enjoyed every moment of it. On a rainy, gloomy and cold day, I entered the museum with light, hope, and warmth filled in my soul. Much to my surprise, I left with so much more.
Check out these five things The National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) did for me and my self-esteem:
I knew about a time before slavery, but growing up it was something you had to seek out. It wasn’t readily available in our daily history books or even in our school libraries. The NMAAHC put the facts front and center.
Discovering that many of our ancestors were a part of empires of Black kings and queens who depended on each other as a community in every way imaginable was eye-opening. From trading, craftsmanship, cultivating water systems, languages, writing, religions, traditions, kinship and morality, Africa is where it all started. I learned about empires in the Kongo ruled by Black queens and the sacrifices many had to make to avoid enslavement. It gave me a closer connection to my African heritage.
The transition into enslavement was depicted in the most realistic settings I have ever encountered. The museum took the time to tell the story of individuals who were sold into slavery and taken overseas into an unknown world. As you walk through the exhibit, cries outpour from the darkness of fear, uncertainty, illness, confinement, and torture.
At sea for months on end, each ship consistently showed record numbers of how many slaves died or committed suicide from the Atlantic Slave Trade without ever touching foot in America.
When I saw that on average, less than half of the slaves made it on each ship, I knew that was telling. For my great, great, great, great ancestors to be so resilient, mentally tact, and physically enduring to make it all the way to America against their will and live through it, it spoke bounds to me.
As I moved throughout the museum, I couldn’t help but notice the diversification within our own culture. There’s a history of our people working side by side with Indians and indentured white servants. Many would form friendships, alliances, communities, and even families with other ethnicities without a problem.
It wasn’t until the creation of race was made prevalent by slave owners and Western culture to distinguish their bought slaves from the rest of the society. The easiest identification being their color and features. Finding out that our people never looked at society as a white or black entity just gave light to the fact that our people come from a pure place. A place of heart, value, respect, and community no matter the color.
There is no doubt that Black culture has had a great impact on the world today. However, when you visit the museum it will shudder any other doubts there may ever be about it. From music, entertainment, television, education, art, poetry, cuisine, and institutions to our first Black millionaires, political leaders, athletes, fashion gurus, and business moguls, the inheritance of resilience and triumph is displayed in the brightest light. I basked in the celebration of greatness and it motivated me to give my all and do my best in whatever I pursue.
This moment caught me the most by surprise and is the reason why I plan to return. At the end of each exhibit, the museum wanted to hear your feelings and thoughts at that exact moment. They left questions, cards, and pencils behind for museum patrons to chime in on issues and topics that are heavy and prevalent in the current Black community. They even had a recording booth where you could share your feelings on the past and the future of the Black community.
Does your family talk about slavery? If so, how?
The experience was unforgettable. It gave me more knowledge about myself, and my history and a great sense of pride that only these new findings could provide. Check out more information on The National Museum of African American History & Culture here.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
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