And thank you for reading my essay and sharing such a kind response. There had to be people like you and your brother fighting on the side of freedom and justice in order for the movement to succeed. I’m so glad you mentioned that.
This is one of the best essays I've read on all the outrageous things happening in our country. I remember how happy and proud I was of us as a nation when Obama was elected. I thought we were on an upward spiral toward being the kind of nation that lives up to its ideals. I never imagined there would be such a horrible backlash against him because of his race. I was naive then. No more. Now I believe that Harris lost because of her race and gender--the prejudice that is still so prevalent.
When I first saw this photo, the woman reminded me of Michelle Obama--the look she might have had when Trump was elected. I'm proud of the fact she did not show up for the inauguration or even Carter's funeral where she would have had to sit next to the Trumps. Nothing about him or his administration should be normalized. We need more leaders with her backbone.
Thanks for reading and sharing your feelings, Deborah. Since we're still in the early stages of these shenanigans, I've not wanted to spout off about what's going on. But when I saw Danny Lyon's photograph, it seemed to speak for me. The words fell into place soon after. If I take any comfort at all, it's in knowing that the winner of the 2024 election did not receive 50% of the popular vote. Also, he received fewer votes than in 2020. That means a lot of Americans don't want him and do not condone the outrageousness. Just hope those folks can hang on till the midterm elections.
Outrage isn't strong enough to capture the revolting state of affairs in America 2025 but your essay lends a powerful and insightful voice to what many (and I hope more) Americans feel about the direction Trump and his minions are dragging us. When will more of our elected leaders say "ENOUGH".
That’s a question I’d like to have answered too. I’ve been asking it ever since the complete MAGA takeover of the GOP convention last summer. Surely they can’t all be aligned ideologically. But if they’re all scared, what’s the reason for that? I’m mystified as well as outraged. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
There's a line in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus is speaking about Tom Robinson and says: "He had unmitigated temerity to feel sorry for a white woman." I reengineered that line the first time "he who should never be named" got into office- "we had the unmitigated temerity to vote a black man into office." This essay rings true on so many levels. Very well done...
Too bad mainstream media didn't take the "he who should never be named" tack during 2024. They gave Felonious oodles of free air time just speculating about what might happen, wondering if he'd accept the results, and blah, blah, blah. Ta-Nehisi Coates agrees your take (and mine) in The First White President. We are in the throes of recurring white backlash. But I hang on, nevertheless, knowing that we are in fact a purple nation. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and share your insights. Much appreciated, as always.
Nicely done, Andrew. This woman's face and expression, and (look closely!) those of everyone else around her, reflects shock, pain, confusion. I was 12 years old when those babies were slaughtered in Birmingham, and it doesn't take a picture - just the memory of that depraved act - to bring tears to my eyes. Thank you!
Many thanks for sharing your own memories and for your kind words, Leon. And yes, everyone in that scene wears a similar expression. Like you, I have a clear memory of the incident, in part, because a classmate of mine was affected. One of those little girls was his cousin. The memory is very strong, as you’ve said, without having to look at the picture.
This photo takes your breath away, brings tears to your eyes, makes you ashamed and angry, and tells in a single image that we HAVE to do better—as people and as a nation.
And then there is your brilliantly written and powerful essay that confirms that here we are, 62 years later, and we haven't done any better. It feels like all the hatred, all the blood spilled, all the pain, all the suffering, and all the work we have done have now been stripped away by a handful of very rich, mean, nasty, petty, narcissistic, racist, misogynistic, and transphobic men surrounded by their Republican majority in the House & Senate who are spineless, pathetic pieces of shit that stand equally complicit in their silence. They should all be ashamed that their greed has chosen to hold on to their own "power" rather than do the right thing to stop this insanity.
As a friend said to me last week, “I can’t believe what’s happening to our country.” The only thing that comforts me is that the country is not really as red as it seems but purple—and the so-called mandate is merely a slim majority that includes people who failed to see what else they were getting when they voted for cheaper eggs.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Michael. I appreciate it.
brother jazzprose
your writing sings!
damn this is a great essay
you tie our history together
that bombing was the reason
my brother went south in 63
to fight for freedom
I am a green eyed sister
who fought too
ps thank you for reading
my song for my mother
And thank you for reading my essay and sharing such a kind response. There had to be people like you and your brother fighting on the side of freedom and justice in order for the movement to succeed. I’m so glad you mentioned that.
I'm sorry I misspelled your name
the music got to me:)
No worries! Thanks again.
This is one of the best essays I've read on all the outrageous things happening in our country. I remember how happy and proud I was of us as a nation when Obama was elected. I thought we were on an upward spiral toward being the kind of nation that lives up to its ideals. I never imagined there would be such a horrible backlash against him because of his race. I was naive then. No more. Now I believe that Harris lost because of her race and gender--the prejudice that is still so prevalent.
When I first saw this photo, the woman reminded me of Michelle Obama--the look she might have had when Trump was elected. I'm proud of the fact she did not show up for the inauguration or even Carter's funeral where she would have had to sit next to the Trumps. Nothing about him or his administration should be normalized. We need more leaders with her backbone.
Thanks for reading and sharing your feelings, Deborah. Since we're still in the early stages of these shenanigans, I've not wanted to spout off about what's going on. But when I saw Danny Lyon's photograph, it seemed to speak for me. The words fell into place soon after. If I take any comfort at all, it's in knowing that the winner of the 2024 election did not receive 50% of the popular vote. Also, he received fewer votes than in 2020. That means a lot of Americans don't want him and do not condone the outrageousness. Just hope those folks can hang on till the midterm elections.
Outrage isn't strong enough to capture the revolting state of affairs in America 2025 but your essay lends a powerful and insightful voice to what many (and I hope more) Americans feel about the direction Trump and his minions are dragging us. When will more of our elected leaders say "ENOUGH".
That’s a question I’d like to have answered too. I’ve been asking it ever since the complete MAGA takeover of the GOP convention last summer. Surely they can’t all be aligned ideologically. But if they’re all scared, what’s the reason for that? I’m mystified as well as outraged. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
There's a line in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus is speaking about Tom Robinson and says: "He had unmitigated temerity to feel sorry for a white woman." I reengineered that line the first time "he who should never be named" got into office- "we had the unmitigated temerity to vote a black man into office." This essay rings true on so many levels. Very well done...
Too bad mainstream media didn't take the "he who should never be named" tack during 2024. They gave Felonious oodles of free air time just speculating about what might happen, wondering if he'd accept the results, and blah, blah, blah. Ta-Nehisi Coates agrees your take (and mine) in The First White President. We are in the throes of recurring white backlash. But I hang on, nevertheless, knowing that we are in fact a purple nation. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and share your insights. Much appreciated, as always.
Nicely done, Andrew. This woman's face and expression, and (look closely!) those of everyone else around her, reflects shock, pain, confusion. I was 12 years old when those babies were slaughtered in Birmingham, and it doesn't take a picture - just the memory of that depraved act - to bring tears to my eyes. Thank you!
Many thanks for sharing your own memories and for your kind words, Leon. And yes, everyone in that scene wears a similar expression. Like you, I have a clear memory of the incident, in part, because a classmate of mine was affected. One of those little girls was his cousin. The memory is very strong, as you’ve said, without having to look at the picture.
This photo takes your breath away, brings tears to your eyes, makes you ashamed and angry, and tells in a single image that we HAVE to do better—as people and as a nation.
And then there is your brilliantly written and powerful essay that confirms that here we are, 62 years later, and we haven't done any better. It feels like all the hatred, all the blood spilled, all the pain, all the suffering, and all the work we have done have now been stripped away by a handful of very rich, mean, nasty, petty, narcissistic, racist, misogynistic, and transphobic men surrounded by their Republican majority in the House & Senate who are spineless, pathetic pieces of shit that stand equally complicit in their silence. They should all be ashamed that their greed has chosen to hold on to their own "power" rather than do the right thing to stop this insanity.
As a friend said to me last week, “I can’t believe what’s happening to our country.” The only thing that comforts me is that the country is not really as red as it seems but purple—and the so-called mandate is merely a slim majority that includes people who failed to see what else they were getting when they voted for cheaper eggs.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Michael. I appreciate it.
Look forward to tucking into this one, insightful, poetic, important
Thank you. Glad, you see something valuable. Though I’m a bit perplexed by your “ing” verb.
tucking! jesus! so sorry will edit now
Good old autocorrect, right? Thanks for clarifying!
Of course, wild response if not an error lol