There were helicopters overhead

We were watching the news and the sameness of it all was wearing on.  Annoying helicopters were circling the area.  Told Considine they were coming for him to collect back taxes.  Looking online we found that there was to be a BLM march starting at the high school which is a block away.  We made our way through the gaggle of seniors waiting on mail in the lobby to find out what was happening.  The crowd in the picture was the first thing we saw. 

We decided to join the effort.  Mind you, I haven't been in protest march since the 70's.  Mostly young people of every hue all were marching united for justice for people of color.  We took over Catalpa and marched chanting "this is what democracy looks like" toward Woodward,  crossed this major highway and took over the northbound side, marching and chanting, no cars, just us.  In fact, we knelt on Woodward in a moment of silence for those who perished in the struggle, in the middle of the street.  It's hard to describe what I felt at that moment, uplifted, a bit hopeful and for me, moving toward redemption.

Due to a concerted effort by our police department and city administration and the organizers, we were kept safe.

All the neighborhoods we marched thru were extremely supportive and all ages were out there watching.  Needless, to say, Judy and I were the oldest ones in the crowd soldiering on thru the 4 mile trek.

At the end, we heard speakers from the group, notably for me was my brave and honest wife.  At first she said that this was personal. and that we need to get this fixed before our grand kids come of age.  Elijah will be a teenager with attitude someday soon.  We don't want him accosted by police or anyone else because of the color of his skin.  I met one young black man who spoke so eloquently off the cuff, I was thrown off guard.  His name is Nicholas.  Thanked him for his words. 

I do not know where we go from here.  Learning and listening is the key.  I am hopeful the generation represented in these young people can cast out all the untruths my generation and those before put upon them.  For me, I will listen more, talk less and hope for redemption.

stay safe

all for now