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I, like many of you, have been sad, mad, and disgusted by the recent happenings right here in our own country. In our own nation where freedom has been a song sung for generations, white supremacists have stained the honor of that freedom with hypocrisy, hatred, and violence. And, like many of you, I don’t know what to do with my feelings.
On Sunday evening, I answered a Facebook call to a vigil, a simple gathering of diverse people who held candles, sang songs, read poems, quoted speeches, and together held each other up in prayer. We celebrated our freedom to do this on public ground without fear.
I don’t believe that attending a vigil will change much, but it was someplace to go and be with my community in support of the community of Charlottesville. Charlottesville never asked for their town to be the marketplace for hatred. They never wanted angry men carrying tikki torches to make a spectacle of their freedom. How did this happen? I have no answers.
On Monday morning, I spotted this brief rainbow. To me, this is always a sign of God’s promise. We all need to let go of discrimination, prejudice, and intolerance. We are better than this.
My friend Nettie attended Sunday’s vigil. She read aloud the poem, Stonewall Nation. She read it with conviction and passion.
I hope these dark days will pass, and all of us will join together in being a better people and a better nation.
Come on brothers, march along.
We’re all gonna sing our song.
Right now, right now.
Sisters Take me by the hand,
We’re gonna build our promise land,
Right now, right now.And the Stonewall Nation’s,
Gonna have its liberation.
Wait and see, just wait and see.
You can take your tolerance and stow it,
We’re gonna be ourselves and show it.
The Stonewall Nation is gonna be free.
Reflections on the Teche 
I understand your need to do something and attending a vigil is a powerful way to stand. I’m also ready for these dark days to pass and to see the fulfillment of better days ahead. I collected posts that are relevant for educators as they deal with these difficult times in today’s slice.
I’ve never attended a vigil before. It was interesting to read your thoughts. I pray everyday for our country.
Thank you for sharing. I feel much the same — sad, angry, shocked– thinking, how can I help to change things?
You said that you didn’t think attending a vigil will change much but I disagree! When people gather peacefully it makes a difference… You made a difference but going to the vigil and connecting with your community. These small steps make a difference! Thank you for making a difference!
Margaret, I watched the President’s press conference today and was troubled by statements on Charlottesville. There is so much hatred in life these days that we need to find peace in the best way we can. The vigil must have brought feeling of togetherness as an united front against hatred. The rainbow was a sign for sure.
I second the comment above. I think that vigils do have an effect. They connect, and the more we connect, the less we prejudge and stereotype others. I know it doesn’t change the hearts of some of the haters. That will take much more time. I really appreciate your entry and wish I had gone to a vigil.
Margaret, coming together and opposing what’s wrong in this world — that is America. The more of us come out of our doors and speak up, the better. Good for you. We need our poets, our philosophers, our leaders at times like these.
Coming together in support of the good and just always makes a difference. I’m glad you go this slice into the world.