Rumors of War

“People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them”
-James Baldwin

I’ve been having trouble putting into words what was seen on the afternoon of December 10th. Every outlet had a word, RTD, Style, VPM, Washington Post, the BBC!?!? What more could be said? What more could be shown?

Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.
– James Baldwin

On the way to speak at the Arthur Ashe Boulevard dedication ceremony, Representative John Lewis (Alabama) encountered a familiar foe. Traffic. He would be late for the ceremony for his late friend. State Police would be needed to extract him from the gridlock and guide him down to Richmond.

“Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by those doing it”
-James Baldwin

When Representative Lewis spoke, I found myself on Arthur Ashe Boulevard hearing the words echo. He spoke of a man who showed up at his office, the same man who nearly beat him to death many decades ago. He spoke of forgiveness, how he embraced the man from love. He spoke of how only progress can come from love and understanding. Echoes of words, ripples of change

“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”
-James Baldwin

December 10th was chilly, rainy, and glum. Around 1 PM, the shrouded Collousus rested, a soft glaze of rain glazed on the silver tarp, beading droplets that ran down to the base. Purple lights encircled, giving the covered Rumors an ethereal glow. The electricity was beginning to build.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced”
– James Baldwin

“I’ve heard word of protesters” whispers, from a friend… Nothing that I know of but that’s not something I follow. The crowd outside builds along the barriers created. Curiosity and the hungry gather to see a new history be made.

“I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”
-James Baldwin

After all the confusion and disorganization, everyone is in their place at 320, awaiting the speakers and the reveal. The VIPs settle in with ponchos and umbrellas yet the rain has stopped. The speakers trickle in. The fog of magic settles in. Looking behind, there are rows and rows and rows of the enrapt going past Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

“What I love in art is that it takes known combinations and reorders them in a way that sheds light on something that they have never seen before or allows to consider the world in a slightly different way.”
-Kehinde Wiley

The marching band of ALL Richmond public schools made their presence known. This is the generation that is on that horse!

Governor Northram spoke, as well as Mayor Stoney and many others. Nothing stood more proud than the ALL Richmond marching band! Kehinde speaks! Time to unveil! A hitch. The tarp is caught. Kehinde smiles

“Life’s messy, it’s perfect”
-Kehinde Wiley

The Fire Department had to come cut it down.

Representative John Lewis bows his head in laughter.

Unforced error. Point Progress.