I just came from posting the flag on the front of the house, I saluted it as I should for it is our flag day. Commemorating the act of a continental congress to define a union of colonies, now states that will build a great nation with ideals that all men are created equal and none should be above the law. On June 14, 1777, this congress decided that the equality of these colonies shall be represented in thirteen stripes, and the original thirteen stars on a blue field, a field with room for many more, many that will be welcomed to this land, this nation, and with reverence we’ll abide by the principles put forth by men who risked their lives to sign for independence and fairness and opportunity for the pursuit of happiness… and yet the pursuit of equality under the law continues. Today I read a poem, that asks for forgiveness for our lack of generosity, for our thrashing of this dream of equality as we have practiced in these last so many centuries. We know better now we think, yet read this poem from 1920, and ask if it is no different today than 100 years ago? I had to find out what Darkwater was, and through the Gutenberg Project https://www.gutenberg.org/files/15210/15210-h/15210-h.htm
I found the book published in 1920. Called Darkwater by W.E.B Du Bois. It is amazing… I included a poem from the end of Darkwater below…
I did not think… I did not know…
What pale excuse is this I make
In answer to my brother’s woe,
Age-long, for deep injustice sake!
Across his mute and patient soul,
While I have gone my heedless way,
The shadows of a fate might roll
That deepened night and darkened day.
But I have read a burning page,
That glowed with white and soul-wrung fire,
And now no more I may engage
My conscience with a feeble hire.
For all the wrong I did not heed,
Chance-born in happier paths to live,
I cry unto my brother’s need
One word of love and shame… forgive!
At the end of Black Water is the following Poem By W.E.B Du Bois: