Dear Journal: An uplifting yet disheartening experience
Published 5:00 pm Monday, June 15, 2020
Editor’s note: Karen Harris Tully is a writer who lives in Raymond and has agreed to keep a journal to share with Daily World readers during the odd and uncertain time we’re all navigating.
Dear Journal:
These days are uplifting and disheartening at the same time. I feel like a wound has been uncovered in America and we get to see the festering ugliness beneath the surface of our country, and our own communities. We have so many wounds. But we also get to see so many folks, people who I previously might have thought didn’t care, come together to begin to address the problems we face. Maybe the ugliness has to drain, to be cleaned again and again, before it can finally heal.
I went to the march to end systemic racism and violence, which went from Raymond to South Bend, and I was ecstatic to see so many local people show up. It was a beautiful, positive, well-organized outpouring of support for black people in our community and across the nation. It was wonderful to be a part of.
It seemed like about 100 people came together, some marching, some standing, some caravanning to the endpoint at the courthouse in South Bend. We were led by students, followed by parents, teachers, health care workers, retirees, librarians, business owners and folks from every walk of life. Nearly all wore masks, even though it was not always comfortable while walking 5 miles, but no one complained. Okay, I did, but just about my glasses fogging.
We received so many honks and waves of support from drivers, it was truly uplifting. I just had to laugh at the few jerks who went out of their way to show hate to a group of positive, peaceful protesters. Though it seemed unnecessary, I suppose the middle finger out a truck window is free speech too.
I was grateful for our local police, both from Raymond and South Bend, for giving us an escort along the highway. They showed a lot of class, being there for us when they probably didn’t know what kind of reception they’d get, but all I heard were a lot of thank yous from everyone around me. We knew they were there for us, to protect us from traffic, or any yahoos who might decide to harass a group of peaceful protesters. Why did that even have to be necessary? But I know it was. I thought the officers looked pleased, surprised, and one maybe perplexed when I yelled “Thank you for being here!” Maybe it was my mask, or the exertion, that made me incomprehensible. I stuck with a simple wave and “Thank you” from then on.
Some who weren’t there might say the police were trying to make sure we didn’t loot and burn down our small town in the middle of the afternoon. Mmmkay.
Later I got home and saw hate for us online. The ugliness is a continuing, seeping wound. But much bigger than any negativity, I saw an outpouring of love and support. This round of healing, merely one of many across our great nation, was overall a huge, positive, peaceful success for our small community. That’s what I choose to hold on to.
Song of the day: “What’s Going On,” Marvin Gaye
Karen Harris Tully is a novelist living in Raymond with her husband and two small children. She writes sci-fi/fantasy for teens and adults and can be found at www.karenharristully.com.
