An Uncomfortable Afternoon......

I spent part of this afternoon watching TV. America has been in lock-down for several months with the COVID-19 virus so I've spent more than the normal amount of time parked in front of the TV. Some binge watching on Netflix, a few movies we missed, too much ION over-and-over serial killer shows on as I quilt. Entirely too much screen time.

America has also been in turmoil for several weeks ever since we watched, on TV over and over again, a white policeman murder a black man on the street in Minneapolis. The resulting protests, marches and demonstrations have moved from big cities to even the smallest of towns. And they continue. Somewhere, during the past few weeks, a list of must-watch movies came across my computer screen. Today I watched the award winning documentary based on James Baldwin' last unfinished novel.  "I Am Not Your Negro" traces his friendships with Medgar Evers, Malcom X and Martin Luther King and the fight for civil rights in America.

The powerful film, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, is based on Baldwin's last unfinished manuscript, Remember This House. He left behind only 30 pages in the form of notes and letters but the documentary, I think, gives incredible insight into his view of race in America. Many of the images made me cringe and the narrative is thoughtful and hit hard. His quote toward the very end of the film rings in my head, "Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."

There will be a peaceful gathering in Port Washington tomorrow afternoon. Maybe America is changing as it faces the uncomfortable truth of our American history. Find time to watch the film.