We’ve always lived with—and perpetuated—fundamental contradiction. In 1619, a Dutch “man of warre” brought about twenty captive Africans— “negars”—to Virginia, the first chapter in the saga of American slavery. European settlers, meanwhile, set about removing Native American populations, setting in motion a tragic chain of events that culminated in the Trail of Tears. And so while whites built and dreamed, people of color were subjugated and exploited by a rising nation that prided itself on the expansion of liberty. Those twin tragedies shaped us then and ever after.   – Excerpt from Jon Meacham’s ‘The Soul of America’

With Difficulty Comes Ease...  How do we make sense of the days and times we find ourselves in?  Common impulses to the injustice and corruption are raw and visceral.  Words don’t seem to contain the energy to hold the gravity of the moment.  There is bewilderment, anger and even rage.  However, within the midst of the senseless there remains a need to bring all things into balance.  Our human intelligence demands that we search for answers.  Being proactive in the pursuit of a better life requires contributions from diverse perspectives and cultures, hence the new-found unity in the streets.  As tensions continue swirling due to the global pandemic, national elections and turmoil in city streets, where should right minded people focus their energies?

How does today inform our future as valued citizens? How do we evolve and grow from these putrid moments in American history?