Our positively excited assemblage of people reminded me of the good ole days. Back in the ’60’s-70’s when I was an LSU student we would conduct such gatherings to express public dissent against unjust killing and mistreatment of humans.
Our march yesterday in the bright June sunshine was organized and led by Raheim Andrews, a home boy who graduated from the same high school as my three offspring.
With urging from Raheim, and a little divine help urged by Reggie Hunt, we gathered peacefully and joyfully to emphasize the truth that Black Lives do indeed Matter.
. . . especially the lives of now-deceased citizens George Floyd, Brionna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, whose names will go down in American history.
Toussaint Romain, deputy general counsel at Appalachian State served as keynote speaker, passionately linking our collective message with the legacy of Dr. King:
“I have a Dream!. . .”That freedom ringing from the mountainside includes our local voices reverberating beneath our Boone mountain, Howard’s Knob, in the background. . .
“From every mountainside, let freedom ring!”
Here's a personal aside: to hear my musical portrayal of Dr. King’s mountain inspiration, listen at:
Mountaintop
http://www.micahrowland.com/carey/Mountaintop.mp3
Keynote speaker Romain strongly emphasized that this movement is all about fixing a broken justice system, not just disciplining a few bad cops.
Boone Police were very friendly and helpful in their conducting the crowd along King Street.
Alex Fuller and Montana Mills, local young people, also spoke to encourage us that racial justice can be achieved when folks are willing to come together and work toward fixing our broken justice system.
For a more thorough coverage of our march from ASU to the Watauga County courthouse, go here:
https://www.wataugademocrat.com/raheim-andrews-speaks-at-justice-walk-in-boone-6-7-2020/youtube_0b1d1df3-96ce-5c8d-8124-f031daabc32e.html
King of Soul
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