It’s all right to tell a man to lift himself by his own bootstraps, but it is cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps.

I think all he was trying to say is that when you start with nothing and there are systems specifically crafted to ensure that you continue to have nothing, it’s not reasonable to expect that this will just work it’s way out by dint of hard work or perseverance. We’re still struggling to right this ship fifty years later, but I believe we’re trending in the right direction, even if the last year or so has been a set back for some people.

To that end, I spent my morning cleaning up one of the first integrated cemeteries in Atlanta. Today is not a vacation or a day off of work. It’s a day for reflection and giving something back to your community.