A Solar Eclipse for the Common Good
I told them the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached "I Have a Dream" at the Memorial.
Nearby a young German man narrated a video for friends. A mathematician, Mario Frank, told me he traveled the world while working remotely. Everything will change in 50 years, he said, when that became the thing.
He seemed to see into the future, adding, "if AI doesn't kill us."
Around us, we heard murmurs that totality had traveled over and darkened Texas. We'd experience 87% of the eclipse. When it appeared right on time, spontaneous applause broke out on the breeze.
Not a bad seat in the house.
Sisters Cynthia and Laura Nelson, their silver hair in ponytails, live in Georgetown. We noted the 2017 eclipse was not such a big deal, a magical unifying event for everyone.
Perhaps after the pandemic and political strife, the capital (and country) longed for something good under the sun. Which all could agree on.
By the Smithsonian Castle, I met a ("born and raised") Washingtonian, LaShawn Lewis, who brought her family's younger generation. Her cheer radiated.
"We have a beautiful place to live."
Just a fact, ma'am. I heard my BaltSun city editor was there, too.
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