IN HISTORY THERE IS POWER
By Emil Wilbekin
“The great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it... history is literally present in all that we do.” -- James Baldwin
Last weekend, I had the great fortune to take a transformational journey with Buick from New York City to Philadelphia to Washington D.C. The experience was an opportunity to take in African American history and reflect on the past, present and future of Black culture -- and see how it is reflected in my life. My friend and author Brian Keith Jackson and I took the road trip together and mused on the struggles of Black Men in America, the joys of #BlackBoyJoy, and the meaning of being a Black Gay Man -- a Native Son.
Our history defines us and it also propels us. So many memories rose up in my mind as I drove through the historic streets of Philadelphia. We went to see the Philadelphia Museum of African Art and then stumbled upon Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church en route to Marian Anderson’s home. Mother Bethel holds great meaning for me because my Mother and Grandparents were A.M.E. parishioners -- Mother Bethel is the birthplace of the African Methodist Episcopal Church founded by Richard Allen in 1741. My Mother said she cried the first time she attended Mother Bethel because her parents never had the opportunity to attend this sacred place.
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The journey to Washington, D.C. in the Buick LaCrosse was extraordinary -- it reminded me of my drives from Cincinnati, OH to college at Hampton University in Virginia. Brian put together a playlist for our ride that amplified through the high-tech sound system. The music brought up memories of coming of age during the ‘80s and ‘90s. We reminisced about college, activism and being African Americas. This excursion would become the foundation for our trip to the National Museum of African American History And Culture in D.C.
On Saturday, we were taken on a private tour of the NMAAHC. The structure created by Ghanaian architect David Adjaye. The structure is based on three- tiered crowns or corona inspired by Yoruban art and supported by large welcoming porches symbolic of Caribbean culture and the American South. The building is brilliantly covered in bronze colored lattice which references metal work created by slaves in Louisiana and South Carolina. As Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Museum’s Founding Director says: “This building will sing for all of us.”
Inside the NMAAHC is a repository of the power and presence of Black people and African American culture and history through the ages. The museum’s motto is: Resilience. Transformation. Jubilation. From learning about Queen Nzinga of Angola who fought the Portuguese when they tried to enslave her people, to hearing about the mavericks who fought in the Revolutionary War, it is decidedly clear that we, as Black people, are not monolithic, we are diverse and vast.
The museum takes your though a journey of American history -- politics, media, community, sports, education and popular culture -- that emphasizes the strength, courage and power of Black people in this country. It is encouraging to know that we come from an ingenious culture that redefined itself, sustained it’s culture and rose up against oppression, racism and injustice. This journey to Washington, D.C. reminded me that I too can continue to make a difference thought my creativity, activism and presence with my head held high.
