A Few Tips for Visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture—Sports and Spirituality Style

On my recent trip to our nation's capital, I finally made it to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This outstanding museum is "a place where all Americans can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American experience, what it means to their lives, and how it helped us shape this nation." As an American, an American Studies major, a Catholic Christian, a teacher and a sports fan, I was excited to visit, observe, read, learn, question, participate and share in the experience from those lenses to name a few. For those who have not been to the NMAAHC and even for those who have, I would like to offer but a few suggestions and ideas from which to navigate your own experience—Sports and Spirituality style.

Tickets
Although the museum opened under the Obama administration—on September 24, 2016, it remains difficult to get in—unless you are someone who, unlike me, is known for planning in advance. As written on their website: The National Museum of African American History and Culture is open daily to the public. Free timed-entry passes are required for entry.

Travel websites will offer different information, but this was my experience as of June 8, 2023. The daily timed-entry pass was not released at 6:00 a.m. OR at 6:30 a.m. I kept that window open on my computer and at approximately 8:15 a.m. (all times are Eastern) tickets for every half hour window on the day were available. I chose to go when the museum opened at 10:00 a.m. I arrived at 10:15 a.m. after getting off at the Smithsonian Metro stop (Metro Center is not far. Smithsonian was very close) I was not asked to show my ticket upon entry....

A long time fan of Ragtime music, I loved seeing this tribute to Scott Joplin

How to Tour
The museum's website notes "Please be aware that touring the History Galleries in their entirety will take approximately 2 hours, and will require about 1 mile of walking." I hate to disagree with a Smithsonian curator, but a two hour time stamp on the entirety of this museum's collection is a gross underestimate. Rather, I think the average patron has but two hours in them to give what is presented in light of the attention it demands. The content of the NMAAHC is heavy. It is rich and vibrant, tragic and inspiring. It is difficult to muster the emotional energy to see it all, let alone in 120 minutes.

As the front desk recommends, yes, visit the Slavery and Freedom 1400-1877 (the history of slavery). I learned so much and this context cannot be divorced from the larger experience of what this museum offers. Depending on how long it takes you to navigate this floor (the museum begins three floors underground and patrons ascend each respective level while discovering a new theme/focus), I recommend seeking out the exhibits that speak to you and your lens on the world. What are you interested in? What are you passionate about? Music? Religion? Architecture? Historical figures? Leadership? It is worthwhile to either read the website in advance or spend a few minutes reviewing the museum pamphlet in order to familiarize yourself with what is on display and where. For example, I spent far too much time on the lower levels. I went upstairs only to find two significant exhibits—one on sports and one about music. I was tired but I didn't want to miss out. I didn't.

If you are an extrovert like me, go to the museum with a friend or colleague. I need to process what I see with another person. I do better when I can share what I am thinking and feeling. I have and hold questions. I like unpacking those with another person.

I will be using this icon, featuring John the Baptist in my Christology course.

Read
Before you go, read. Read a book about African American culture, an African American leader or contributor to society. Listen to a podcast about Black identity or politics. In other words bring something from the outside world—your world—or recent value and interest into the museum. This educational discipline will allow you to make connections between what you are learning and what is before you.

For example, as noted in my blog post: A Wrinkle in the Debate: Who is the G.O.A.T.? Thank you, John Thompson, 
In preparation for my travels to Washington DC, I picked up "I Came As a Shadow," the autobiography of legendary Georgetown basketball coach—John Thompson. As my mother's daughter, I wanted to read more about a place I'm visiting; sports is always my preferred point of entry.

Sports
The exhibit Sports: Leveling the Playing Field profiles not only individual athletes as "Exhibition Luminaries." Thompson wrote "This is one of the dangerous things with athletes. Athletes don't choose to be role models. The public chooses them. Setting an example is part of an athlete's responsibility, particularly with African Americans because there are still not enough examples for Black kids of pathways to success other than sports." Framing these profiles in this context offered a valuable and weighty perspective. 

I hope that Thompson would value this exhibit, as it aims to explore "the contributions of athletes, both on and off the field. Some athletes have been symbolic figures of black ability, while others have taken their activism beyond the court to the courtroom, boardroom and the newsroom." I think it succeeded in its approach to looking at these "role models" in their efforts in Social Activism and Breaking the Color Line. I hope you will see for yourself. 

While there was a particular focus on Black American contributions to basketball, football, baseball and the Olympic games, what I appreciated most was the display on Althea Gibson who excelled at both tennis and golf. While I personally believe Jackie Joyner-Kersee ought to be on the female Mt. Rushmore, perhaps Gibson should be too. Thoughts?! And talk about breaking a color barrier...

The Contemplative Court on the ground floor.

Prayer
After reascending to the ground floor, take a moment to enter the Contemplative Court. This is a proper space to pause for prayer and quiet reflection. Truly, it is worth taking but a few moments to offer prayers for peace and reconciliation, of healing and forgiveness. Pray for those who were enslaved and for those who fought for their freedom. Pray for a world that is open to learning about a difficult past in the hope of building a better today and tomorrow. At times, I stood in awe of the fortitude, integrity, courage and determination of countless, named and unknown men and women who fought for equality and respect, their basic human rights and  much, much more. This museum is one, among the many, we are blessed to have in the heart of our nation's capital.

Photo Credits
I took all of these!

A Wrinkle in the Debate: Who is the G.O.A.T.? Thank you, John Thompson

In preparation for my travels to Washington DC, I picked up "I Came As a Shadow," the autobiography of John Thompson at my local library. As my mother's daughter, I wanted to read more about a place I'm visiting; sports is always my preferred point of entry.

John Thompson was a native of Washington DC, a Catholic who was devoted to Our Lady, a coach, father, grandfather and champion. He died on August 30, 2020. Thompson is known as Georgetown University's legendary coach. He became the first Black-American head coach to win a major collegiate championship in basketball when he led the Hoyas to the NCAA Division I national championship in 1984. The setting of his story is our nation's capital through and through. However, what I did not expect was the way Thompson's message would resonate and reveal a truth about women's sports—one that I learned en route to Washington. Here it is.

If there's one topic—one question sports fans love to discuss, debate and defend, it's Who is the G.O.A.T? What athletes are on your Mount Rushmore? Who are the Top 10 athletes of all time?  Thompson presented an important point-of-view. His wrinkle, a real quagmire, offers an important truth worth careful consideration.

In Chapter Two: The Rabbit, Thompson tells the story of  his hero, his friend and who he believes to be among the very greatest, DC native Elgin Baylor. Affectionately known as "The Rabbit," Baylor was born seven years before Thompson. While The Rabbit played at Spingarn High School, JT played at Archbishop Carroll High School, on an integrated team (but one that still had quotas). Both men, however, developed were formed and performed on the city's public courts. Thompson writes,

The competition on the playgrounds was a lot tougher than at school no question. So many terrific Black players didn't get an opportunity to play organized ball. Think about the fact that someone as incredible as Elgin Baylor didn't get recruited out of high school, and would end up at some obscure college in Idaho basically by accident before he went to Seattle University. 

Lots of other guys could have been outstanding in college or the pros. One cat named Chicken Breast could really get it done. I have no idea what his given name was, but everybody knew Chicken Breast. Another very tough player was Gary Mays, who had one arm and was known as Bandit. You heard that right: Gary had one arm, but if there were fifty guys at the park and they chose sides, Gary was always on the court. The tiny scoring guard Wil Jones could have been great in the NBA. Little Wil was a shooter's shooter, talked a whole lot of trash, and always backed it up. 

I could go on and on about all the great players you never heard of. That's one reason I laugh at people who argue about this or that player being the "greatest of all time." Some of the best basketball players in history never got the opportunity to put on a uniform. And yes, I saw both Michael Jordan and Bill Russell play, up close and personal. But we'll never know what some of these other guys could have been. 

I read these words and I know they are true. Willie Mays said so much about his own father, who taught him to play baseball, but didn't have the chance to take his talent beyond regional play in Alabama (Say Hey! Willie Mays HBO Series is worth watching). As a sports fan, an American and a human being, I can't help but mourn what we lost....what we never saw....what we all missed out on. Sadly, this truth is not limited just to people of color.

On Saturday, June 3 of reunion weekend at the University of Notre Dame, the alumni group, Notre Dame Women Connect hosted an event "Champions and Champagne." This gathering brought alumnae together to raise a glass and celebrate and learn from the women who work in athletics to help female student athletes become champions. Our panel featured Kayla Miller, NILI Athlete Marketing Manager, Caroline Powers Ellis, Head Coach Women's Golf and Alex Bechard, Director of Sports Nutrition. 

Our moderator, Kristin Sheehan—Director of Play Like a Champion Today and a monogram award winner herself (varsity cheer) asked each respondent to name and tell us about their favorite female athlete. Alex said "beyond the celebrity athletes: Serena and Venus Williams, I would have to say my mom. She didn't really have a chance to compete in the way that women do today, but she was and still is an outstanding athlete." Caroline, who played golf professionally said "My cousin. She is ten years older than me and she had a career in professional athletics before me. I learned so much from her on what it takes to play at the highest level." Kayla added, "I'm someone who grew up watching Mia Hamm. At the age of five, I wanted to be just like her."

In their responses, I was reminded of the importance of role models, who can show us how to work, overcome, stay strong and make an impact. But I was also reminded of the fact that like Alex's mom, too many weren't given that chance. Fortunately, the story for women in sport is much different today. To a large degree, we write our own...but for too long, that story was short. The G.O.A.T. debate rarely includes a woman. Why shouldn't Mt. Rushmore have the face of a female athlete? (or President?!) I hope some women do crack that Top 10, or rather, let's create our own.

I want to very clear, I have no intention of conflating racism and sexism. "I Came as Shadow,"  attests to the nuances, dynamics and the reality of racism—in DC, in basketball and beyond. As Bill McGarvey writes,  "The game was never the objective for Thompson; it was just the instrument. Basketball became a way of kicking down a door that had been closed to Black people." 

Thompson adds, "It was a way for me to express that we don't have to act apologetic for obtaining what God intended us to have, and that we should be recognized more for our minds than our bodies." I think women can understand that...whether or not they are in sports.

Photo Credits
Book Cover
JT and player
Baylor

Saints, Sacraments and I Came as a Shadow: Brief Insight into John Thompson

A friend recently admitted to me that he doesn't like the idea of saints. "I don't think the Church should get in the business of raising up certain men and women for veneration. It's too political." I have heard gripes about the process and the favor canonization has placed on those in religious communities over lay people before. I could say "The Catholic Church does not make or create saints, but rather recognizes them" but I understand. He isn't the first nor is he the last person to share such sentiments with me. 

I have always loved learning about the saints; I consider them to be treasures in the spiritual life. Listen to Faith Fondue, my podcast and you will hear Haley, my partner, talk regularly about her 2021 resolution of getting to know more about these holy men and women. She has made a point to recognize their feast days and prayerfully ask for their intercession. Her enthusiasm encourages me to do the same. 

While I appreciate the saints, I'm not sure I need them to nourish and sustain my faith. I do however need sacraments. Sacraments—both lower and upper case—are visible signs of God's invisible grace. They can be seen, touched, heard and smelled. Sacraments are formal and informal,. They are celebrated in a community and mediate God's mercy, love and peace. My faith deepened when I came to learn and see the many graces in my life—from unsuspecting people or unexpected places—are sacraments. To see the world through this lens is to have the Catholic imagination.

This vision equipped me to see the cover of the autobiography of John Thompson, "I Came as a Shadow" in a sacramental way. My former colleague and friend Bill, told me that the faculty at Georgetown Prep decided to read this best-selling book about the late Georgetown men's basketball coach this summer. After reading Confronting Racism in Basketball and the Jesuits: The Extraordinary Life of Georgetown’s John Thompson, a book review in America and listening to the ESPN Daily podcast, The Life of Legendary Georgetown Coach John Thompson Jr. I took notice. I shared this news with many other Jesuit educators. I wondered what they thought. I was excited to hear what Bill--a fellow Religious Studies teacher and coach would say about the book. But a few chapters into it, he wrote

I did not know that towel was a tribute to his mom who always had a towel over her shoulder while she worked and cleaned and fed her family.  She was a trained teacher with a college degree but could only clean houses. 

That towel of which Bill speaks is featured on the cover. I have no idea if Coach Thompson always donned the same one or grabbed  from the locker room the first towel he could find. No matter. That towel is a sacrament. With the Catholic imagination, I recognize that towel as a visible sign of God's invisible grace. Based on the little I know, I understand that it honors the love and sacrifice of a mother for her family. Instead of the shame or embarrassment, challenge and strife that her job may have brought with it, Coach Thompson raised it for all to see. I find it to be regal and meaningful. It's sacramental.

Thompson was a practicing Catholic who was deeply devoted to Our Lady. He was so much more than just a basketball coach. He was a father, mentor, and lifelong advocate for  justice and equality. I won't go so far as to say he is a Saint, BUT I do believe that saints are sacraments. Virtuous and outstanding men and women are visible signs of God's invisible grace. I guess I need them, too.

Photo Credits
John Thompson 
Coach and Patrick Ewing