They were marched into the classroom, single file, and lined up along the blackboard to face the roomful of white faces. It would be sheerest invention to say I remember everything about that day. The only things I recall had to do with questions about how my own situation was about to change.
I’ve been trying to come to terms with Ferguson since it began. The shooting of Michael Browne sparked a response that surprised many people and the counter responses have been equally surprising among certain people, not so much among certain others. Every time I start to write something I find what I intended to say had already been said better elsewhere. [More . . . ]
One of the more congenial things about FaceBook is that while flaming (and trolling and all such related hate-baiting tactics) still happens, users aren't locked into the thread where it occurs. With multiple conversations going on all the time among many different arrangements of "friends" it is not a problem requiring something like a nuclear option to deal with.
Excellent work by Stephen Colbert:
Last night I road my bike across town to the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park in St. Louis to take some photos. I didn't know what I'd find--I assumed I'd be shooting a sunset. It's a spectacular overlook at one of the many edges of one of the largest city parks in the U.S. I did find a compelling sunset, but what was equally compelling was a group of first rate drummers that go by the name of "Soularo," including Nafi Rafat and Marcus Jones. They gave me permission to photograph part of their session.
As Jones noted hours later, drumming is like heartbeat. That is true, and it is also a powerful elixir, capable of erasing one's woes and filling one with thirst for good-hearted life. That's what seemed clear from watching the dozens of people who were drawn to this spontaneous gathering.
Only a few weeks ago, I spent time at this same location honoring the life of Sonny Glassberg, who recently passed away (she was the mother of a friend of mine). She gave substantial financial support to allow the renovation of this extraordinary venue.