Excellent write up. Up until 2011 I can say I was on the wrong side of this issue. I'm grateful life intervened in a way to make me realize not only was I wrong but that the political heirs of Helms and Co. were and are wrong on this. I definitely feel apprehension that this year we are at a major fork in the road.
Excellent Thomas. My otherwise loving and progressive (sorta) uncle started that white academy in Wadesboro you did not attend. It is something I never quite squared with the man I knew.
Quite happy that during our lifetime we can know the efforts made and the patience required to have a federal holiday named for Dr. King. Like always, this took some doing, lots of patience and persistence. And you're right about the fault lines not changing much regarding race relations and understanding. Of course I have my own story of growing up where we did in Anson County although my trajectory was based upon a learning disability that schools at home could not address. Parents sacrificed. I left at age 14. Thank goodness or else getting into university would have been daunting otherwise. And, yes, we are in a different phase of the Civil Rights Movement which again goes back to the fault lines not changing much. We botched Reconstruction long time ago. We botched when the Civil War ended by not dealing with Jefferson Davis. Although maybe it's better we just moved on. And move on we did. It's costing us now if we cast back. As they say, water over the dam. Let me not wander. It's the day after the federal holiday in Dr. King's honor--may we make each day one of service no matter the degree. And may we keep alive the spirits and commitments of many who marched in the name of nonviolence. May we continue the march.
Excellent write up. Up until 2011 I can say I was on the wrong side of this issue. I'm grateful life intervened in a way to make me realize not only was I wrong but that the political heirs of Helms and Co. were and are wrong on this. I definitely feel apprehension that this year we are at a major fork in the road.
I share your apprehension and am less optimistic today than I was even during Trump’s presidency. I pray my fears for our civic health are unfounded.
Thank you, Thomas. This is a powerful and important piece!
Excellent Thomas. My otherwise loving and progressive (sorta) uncle started that white academy in Wadesboro you did not attend. It is something I never quite squared with the man I knew.
Quite happy that during our lifetime we can know the efforts made and the patience required to have a federal holiday named for Dr. King. Like always, this took some doing, lots of patience and persistence. And you're right about the fault lines not changing much regarding race relations and understanding. Of course I have my own story of growing up where we did in Anson County although my trajectory was based upon a learning disability that schools at home could not address. Parents sacrificed. I left at age 14. Thank goodness or else getting into university would have been daunting otherwise. And, yes, we are in a different phase of the Civil Rights Movement which again goes back to the fault lines not changing much. We botched Reconstruction long time ago. We botched when the Civil War ended by not dealing with Jefferson Davis. Although maybe it's better we just moved on. And move on we did. It's costing us now if we cast back. As they say, water over the dam. Let me not wander. It's the day after the federal holiday in Dr. King's honor--may we make each day one of service no matter the degree. And may we keep alive the spirits and commitments of many who marched in the name of nonviolence. May we continue the march.