Black is so beautiful it makes you cry; Smithsonian opens the National Museum of African American History and Culture

In spite of myself, I was absolutely enthralled by my visit to the new National Museum of African American History and Culture that opened this weekend in Washington, D.C. If it were in my power, I would mandate a visit for every black child in America.

I have to admit that I only saw a fraction of the impressive and massive collection, but I plan to return for a full look. What I saw gave me a surge of pride I had never felt. To see what people whose blood I share endured under hardships greater than I can imagine; to see their art, created in the face of-and often because of-great challenge and disenfranchisement; and to see their magnificent pervasive contributions to American culture informs and emboldens.

For African American children to really see what is in their ancestral heritage can inspire them to accomplish anything. The diversity and magnificence of the history and culture of African Americans as revealed by this museum is unparalleled. With all this richness behind me and within me, I am ashamed I have not accomplished more, but am keenly aware of the people on whose shoulders and backs my meager achievements rest.

That these people did all this with broken wing is astounding. Who knows what a child seeing this might accomplish on a grand scale or by simply gaining the pride to create a good life and family. Go see the museum yourself and take flight. Go and take a child to return the childs lost wings so he or she can soar. Go to honor your personal and cultural ancestors. Had just one of them fallen before they contributed to you, you would not be alive. Many did fall before they could reach their full potential. Imagine had they been given the chance. Rejoice in what was created that is finally in one place for you to see.

It takes time to take in all the museum has to offer. Hours. Never have I wanted to spend such time in a museum. Now I know why. I had the rare fortune to be guided through a section by Richard J. Powell , Ph.D., John Spencer Bassett Professor of Art and Art History in the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences at Duke University and a member of the Scholarly Advisory Committee at the museum. He knows more about African and African American art than I have command of the language to describe. He brought the art and the artists to life with his encyclopedia knowledge of their personal and artistic struggles, their background and training, their artistic objectives, things that influenced their work, and the meaning of their creations. The images are still vivid, and the fire ignited by his narratives still burn in my heart.

When you go, take time for a docent and also reflect on the descriptions the museum provides. Take in what the artists intended, and why, and what they overcame to create what is before you. Great thought and care was involved in every decision about every single thing in this museum. It was all done for you. Savor it, please. I suggest starting on the lower level. It is not an easy level, but it is not to be avoided and will enhance the full celebration of the top level.

I learned just this morning that in the 60s, broadcast journalist Charles Osgood, who retired September 26th after twenty-two years as host of the television staple CBS Sunday Morning, penned a song Black is Beautiful. The renowned and incomparable Nancy Wilson recorded the song. One of the lyrics is Black is so beautiful it makes you cry. I know that to be true.