Wilber and Orville

I’ve seen pictures like the one above, but I never really stopped to pay attention.  Then, yesterday I listened to old broadcast of David McCullough being interviewed on the Diane Rehm Show about his latest book The Wright Brothers.  It is obviously a fascinating story.  It’s not just the tale of a primitive airplane; it’s an account of intellectual drive and curiosity. I was especially taken by the image of the brothers standing for hours on the beach at Kitty Hawk watching birds and studying the movements of their wings as they flew. I’ve listened to the interview; now I’m looking forward to the book. It is presently number one on the New York Times best seller list (nonfiction).

How?

We sang this song in church (SB First Unitarian) this morning.  In that context, singing with people I care about, it was very moving.  Then I imagined singing this to people who irritate me.  Interesting experience.

Take Down the Confederate Flag--Now

Supporters of the Confederate flag like to say it’s about heritage not racism.  Ta-Nehisi Coates quotes the beliefs of state after state.  Here is what Texas heritage sounds like:

...in this free government all white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political rights; that the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind, and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations; while the destruction of the existing relations between the two races, as advocated by our sectional enemies, would bring inevitable calamities upon both and desolation upon the fifteen slave-holding states....

Read his entire article to understand the true heritage of the Confederate flag.  I can see why it would be difficult to face such a heritage, but it’s time.

The title to this article is also from Ta-Nehisi Coates here..