Artifacts in Faith: The Journey of an American Culture
Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. (NIV)
Romans 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (NIV)
Recently, the long-awaited National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington, D.C. The opening ceremony was a much touted event with heads of state, musical performers, celebrities, and other well-known people in attendance. Residents of the District of Columbia were warned weeks in advance of street closings, the museum communications department was tasked with notifying the public of the timed passes for entrance that would be required the entire weekend of the museum opening, and security was intense because the event was extremely high profile. Because the museum was stocked with priceless artifacts, and so many people would be in attendance, it was apparent the eyes of the world would be on 200 15th Street NW, Washington D.C. on the big opening day of September 24th, 2016.
The eyes of the world are still on the museum—a beautiful lattice-work building that now graces the National Mall—and all that it means to the history of our country. Lonnie G. Bunch III, the museum’s Founding Director has said of the museum, “This Museum will tell the American story through the lens of African American history and culture. This is America’s Story and this museum is for all Americans.” The goals of the museum are, in part, to show the resiliency, the optimism, and yes, the spirituality of all Americans in relation to their experiences with culture and ethnicity in this country and in global forums. After all, we have all come to this country from a myriad of backgrounds, and as quarrelsome and difficult as we can be sometimes, we all live, work, play, and worship together as Americans.
The country is often divided. We are a combination of many religions and cultures. We have survived blame and persecution of one another, and we have experienced camaraderie and support when outsiders attack our integrity or our strength. The duality makes us diverse and resilient. The National Museum of African American History and Culture works to remind us of that. It reminds us that no matter how different we are, albeit our rocky pasts, we are one under God. Each exhibit forces us to recognize the biases we feel, and challenge those beliefs to eliminate the suspicion and blame we sometimes feel toward those who are “different” than us.
It is easy to forget the struggle, to forget that, at one time, African Americans were turned away from lunch counters, buses, public pools, and schools, and not afforded the same basic rights afforded to white Americans. And, it might even be easy to forget that, at one time, the thought of having the first African American President of the United States speak at the opening of such a museum would have been an impossible achievement, an event that many people thought they would never see. And yet, here we are. Our Princeton-educated First Lady, Michelle Obama, an African American woman with multiple degrees, a successful law career behind her, and influence that goes far beyond the White House, came to Pittsburgh to speak a few weeks ago, and it was “standing room, sign up now or forfeit your spot” only. She spoke on behalf of Hillary Clinton, the first woman to secure the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. These are exciting times. Yet, they are also trying times, because for all of our advances—culturally and politically—we are still embroiled in figuring out our relationships to one another as different races, cultures, and religions living in one country.
So, I challenge you all to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Educate yourself. Challenge your biases. Remember that our differences are what make us unique and “stop passing judgement on one another.” Build your fellow brothers and sisters up and “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
