“I’ve given it a lot of thought – actually worked out the numbers and the time it would take to accomplish this goal I’m about to tell you about – and I’ve decided that if I start training right now (well, you know, not now in the car but back home), that by November I might be ready to run a half marathon.”
“That on the 1st day of January, A.D. 1863, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”
We were pleased to see that Di Duncan and Toni Walker used their forums on your June 4, 2020 “Viewpoints” page to speak to the issue of continued racial injustice in our country. The wrongful death of George Floyd underscores, yet again, the pervasive racism in America. Incidents in recent months point to the fact that this is not a local issue, or an isolated issue but rather, that unaddressed, our implicit bias will continue to affect all of us who live in this nation. The insights of your two columnists underscore this.
A light breeze blows and wisps by the cheeks of the man on the second-floor balcony. His hand clutches the railing as he takes in a deep breath. A beautiful scenery encompasses him. The moment is peaceful. He allows his thoughts to wander to the events that happened earlier in the day. What was to be peaceful disbanded into chaos. He knew he’d have to address it. This is not what he stood for. His message was of love and peace, love being the strongest. Love, oh but, what is love, if not the greatest emotion man can feel. It has conquered worlds, tumbled walls brick by brick until nothing but shambles remains, and has even slain the greatest of man. Yes, love can change the world. Satisfied with his conclusions he allows a smile to cross his face but then he stumbles backward. Confused he falls to his knees. His hands automatically race to his chest grasping at the stinging pain he feels. Bewildered by the warmth he feels on his hands he removes them from his chest to see them covered in blood.
As Father’s Day approaches, it seems only fitting that I pay homage to some of the father’s in my life. The very fabric of who I am today is because of the men around whom I was raised.
