I’d never heard of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  I hadn’t realised it had been planned for over a century.  I had been completely oblivious to the 20 year battle to get it built at the very centre of the US capital and I didn’t know the long awaited opening coincided with our first day in DC.  

So initially I felt a bit of a fraud standing on Washington mall with thousands of people who had clearly long anticipated its opening and were passionate and hopeful about the impact it will have on America.  It was clearly a very big deal, a symbol of hope and of triumph.  People around us knelt with one fist raised during the rousing national anthem and you could feel the tension and frustration in the air with current events in America.  

But, as we enjoyed music from gospel choirs, incredibly impassioned speeches from the major of Washington and a civil rights southern baptist preacher, heard poems and quotes read by Will Smith and Robert De Niro amongst others,  listened to Stevie Wonder sing about love, my guilt was overtaken by an overwhelming sense of being honoured and privileged to be part of such a day.  
And when Barack Obama stood up and the crowd went wild it really felt like we were witnessing a part of history.  He did the usual stuff that you’d expect at an opening of a public building but he quickly moved on to use it as an opportunity to celebrate the people who have fought for racial equality in the US and to inspire his people to not give up hope.  He repeated and emphasised the phrase 

“I too am America ”

and his words resonated with the crowds and drew huge applause.   He said 

“… we (America) are full of contradictions That’s America. That’s what makes us grow. That’s what makes us extraordinary. And as is true for America, so is true for African American experience. We’re not a burden on America, or a stain on America, or an object of pity or charity for America. We’re America.”

Afterwards I looked up the line, “I am America”. It’s a quote from a 1926 poem written by Langston Hughes.  I love it and it sums up what the museum opening was all about.  

It was a privilege to be in Obamas presence, one of my heroes, and it’s a day I will remember for the rest of my life.  A great introduction to this larger-than-life country and its wonderful capital.

“I, Too

By Langston Hughes
I, too, sing America. 

I am the darker brother. 

They send me to eat in the kitchen 

When company comes, 

But I laugh, 

And eat well, 

And grow strong. 

Tomorrow, 

I’ll be at the table 

When company comes. 

Nobody’ll dare 

Say to me, 

“Eat in the kitchen,” 

Then. 

Besides, 

They’ll see how beautiful I am 

And be ashamed— 

I, too, am America.