The Underbelly

We live on the corner of Solomon and Anderson Court in the city of Tybee Island, Georgia.  In the past, up until sometime in the 1930's, Solomon was not not a street. The rail line ran from Savannah out to the beaches on Tybee and Solomon was the railbed. A little over a week ago hurricane Matthew passed just to our east in the Atlantic Ocean. There was considerable damage on our little island. Carol and I were headed to Benny's the other day for some social interaction and a beer or two. We got a couple blocks from home and noticed this tree. 

If you look closely at the roots you can see an object running off to the right. Here is a closer look. 

Being from a railroad town in Illinois the outline is clearly that of railroad rail. It had laid just below the surface since the rail line was removed at least 80 years ago. A storm revealed what had long been hidden. 

It struck me how it is a reflection of our current political process and the deep divisions within our population. We thought, or more realistically hoped, that we had moved beyond the racism of our past. That we had developed social programs to ensure the weakest among us were fed, clothed, housed and received adequate medical care. That the aged and infirm could live with dignity. That we continued to be an example to the world that people of all races, creeds, religions and cultures could live in peace. We were wrong. 

We are increasingly not "the land of the free and home of the brave". Too many of our fellow citizens are willing to trade some of their freedoms for the illusion of increased security. Willing to strip religious freedoms from those who do not worship the same "God" they do. They claim to be followers of "God" but do little to help the weak and poor their "God" commanded them to love. They fear immigrants. They are worried about terrorists sneaking in and attacking them. They cling to their guns claiming they are needed to protect themselves from their government, terrorists, criminals and anyone else they deem dangerous. They don't want anyone telling them how to live. If you are gay, lesbian, transgendered, or want an abortion they want control over your life. 

So, to me, it seems like the tree that fell here on Tybee. It pulled up what we thought was gone and buried forever. What we thought was changed in our country was the same. Barely covered, under the surface. A storm came along and revealed the truth. We had covered our problems up but they are not solved. We have not changed. The progress of decades can be lost in days, weeks or months. It is our sad and tragic truth.