Re “New National Museum of African American History and Culture opens to fanfare, tears,” Sept. 29-Oct. 1 edition:

When I first heard a few years ago that there was going to be a Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, I was immediately over the moon with joy.

As the months and years slowly passed, I waited with bated breath, and even donated to the cause. The African-American experience finally being given full weight and legitimacy is a powerful message. I shouldn’t have had to wait for a museum to open before feeling embraced by this country, but that’s what happened. #BlackLivesMatter

I went to the museum’s grand opening ceremony and got into the museum on Sept. 24.

I was not disappointed. The speakers and performers at the ceremony were excellent.

The most memorable parts were U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia saying, “As long as there is a United States of America, now there will be a National Museum of African American History and Culture,” and Museum Director Lonnie G. Bunch III ending his speech with, “Welcome home.”

And the feeling was of coming home — from the funny but snide comments overheard from other museum visitors to the collective hush that fell when viewing items such as Harriet Tubman’s shawl, Nat Turner’s Bible, shards of glass from the 1963 fatal bombing at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., and musician Chuck Berry’s Cadillac.

Mass incarceration, the politics of hair, the “paper bag test,” Richard Pryor, “The Wiz,” Homie the Clown and much, much more all are given homes at the museum. It was, in the words of actor Jimmie Walker portraying “J.J.” in “Good Times,” Dy-no-mite!

With the museum located only 1½ hours from Richmond, you have to go and experience it for yourself!

If you go, be sure to spend some time admiring the African sculpture on the fourth floor. The striking outside architecture of the building is modeled after the crown resting on the proud head of one sculpture.

Ever since I returned from the opening, I have felt the shoulders of the giants on which I stand, and have been acutely aware of being firmly rooted in deep, rich soil.

Some things are really worth the wait — even when they’re long overdue.

KENDYL CRAWFORD

Richmond