We Shall Overcome... (The Weekend Watch)
I have found myself in a pensive mood of late, reflecting often on the past - amidst concerns and hopes for the future. I have lived long enough to see cycles of history repeat themselves, fervently yearning for progress to outpace regression.
We know of the deep challenges we face as a nation, and as a planet. It is necessary to confront reality, no matter how dire it is. And yet, we cannot lose sight of the best of the human spirit, which has time and again found a way to not only persevere, but to thrive in the face of great adversity.
One method for such expressions are in art and song. Tomorrow, in my Sunday Essay, I am going to look back at the lessons I hope we can draw from the centennial of the Tulsa massacre and destruction of a proud Black community. I will highlight a musical moment that tied this week’s remembrances to the marches for justice of the Civil Rights Movement, which I covered as a young reporter. I hope you will read it, share it, and find it of interest.
With the chords of the past resonating in my heart and soul, I felt I would share a personal favorite rendition of a Civil Rights standard for this weekend’s watch. It is “We Shall Overcome,” as presented several years back by the Morehouse College Glee Club. To see these young, strong voices channel the words and spirit of those who came before them always fills me with optimism and hope. “We shall overcome someday.” “We are not afraid today.” These are not questions. They are statements of belief, supported by a bloody history of resilience. And in these talented artists, these words touch me deeply. I hope you will feel the same.
—Dan and Steady Team
One of the most aggravating things about following progressives on social media (and being one!) is the tendency to panic and find doom in every wretched move by the folks who still label themselves conservatives. I have lost track of how many times I've read "this is the end of democracy" in the last four and a half years. Point out a way around the latest abusive legislation, and a cadre of doom-sayers will come up with a reason that will fail. I sometimes wonder if its all an excuse to not actually do the hard work of accomplishing anything, which requires meeting with people, organizing, and dealing with lots of frustration.
The people who fought for Women's Suffrage, Civil Rights, and Equality faced far more personal danger and far greater odds. We should paying attention to their histories, their examples, and take hope and inspiration.
Something I've watched and listened to occasionally over the last five years is the climactic speech from Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator," in which a humble barber is mistaken for a Hitler-like tyrant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8HdOHrc3OQ
"Do not despair: The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress."
Great music! Great song!
I remember my generation resonating with songs like Chicago by CSN
“We can change the world rearrange the world
It's dying - to get better”
What happened to my generation?
We marched on Washington,
we supported civil rights,
we supported women’s rights and
we supported environmental causes.
Now many of us voted for a President and party that want to turn the clock back.
How could that happen?