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Lehigh
River Watershed
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Last night Kunte and I went to a theater to see the recently released movie, Lincoln. The movie treated the excruciatingly close margin (7 votes) by which the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery passed in the House of Representatives. The effect of the Amendment was significantly helpful in permanently closing the door of slavery from further serious consideration as an officially recognized institution. (Obviously, due to Jim Crow practices the passage of the Amendment did not constitute a solution to all civil rights woes.)
Kunte
set up front and I sat in the back of the theater. I was delighted to
hear him cheering Lincoln on during his endeavors to get the
Amendment passed. Certainly cheer is due whenever we witness an
earnest player's anxiety and frustration as he approaches pivotal
points which we know full well (if successful) will set in place sea
changes determining what hereafter will be accepted as normal—a
permanent alteration of public perception as to what is simply and
obviously right. The legacy of such watershed moments help explain
the passionate fervor that accompanies politics.
Major
developments, I have come to believe, more often than not succeed by
the skin of one's teeth.
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