Tuscaloosa

I have been here for several days. I came to visit a dear relative, older and closer to the sunset than I am. I am delighted to find that he is doing well, better than I had imagined. I hope that he will be able to talk at my funeral!

I have also come to see Tuscaloosa again and to visit myself, to see where I came from. When I was growing up here there was much to be ashamed of. There still is. But some of the rawness is gone. I guess it is a better place. I guess.

Better is relative. Tuscaloosa is still racist. But so is America. When I left here in 1968 I thought I was walking away from racism. Mary thought so too. We were wrong. She came back. I stayed away. I stay away. I will drive out tomorrow. Riding with me is that evil. It is everywhere. And it seems to be getting the upper hand.

This I will say. I am refreshed. I have visited devils of the past and I have rediscovered hopes of the past. Perhaps one day the hopes will overcome.