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For some reason I’m not in the local groove this morning. My apologies. A few things that are on my mind:

I watched two excellent programs on PBS last night. The first, from a series called “Secrets of the Dead” was entitled “The woman in the iron coffin.” It traces the story of a woman whose coffin was unearthed in Queens, NY, and the subsequent efforts to discover her story. It’s fascinating. In particular, the light it sheds on the use of science, historical research, archeology, and even community outreach gives a multifaceted look at all the many ways we pursue knowledge.

The second program was an episode of Amercian Masters called “How it feels to be free” a documentary looking at pioneering Black women performers Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier. There’s a ton of history here that I was completely unaware of. Brilliantly done.

My unpopular benign opinion of the day: I’m not all so jazzed up about the Bernie Sanders meme from the inauguration. Why? Well...I saw someone suggest that the Bernie mitten photo is the Little Black Dress of memes: it goes with everything. But, it doesn’t, really.

It’s completely incompatible with this. (Link for photo purposes only.) 

Think about it. We’re spending a whole lot of energy reproducing the image of an old white guy all over eveything. It’s not a crime, to be sure, but it’s telling. I do not wish to rain on anyone’s legitimate enjoyment of the current craze. Nor do I question your motives.

Just a thought, not a sermon.

I’ll be back tomorrow with completely local content. Enjoy your Sunday.



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