We did that very thing in here in Providence RI. When I found out that my band was going to lead the parade I demurred at first. For one thing, it would mean schlepping my baritone horn on my back on my bike first to my outdoor Aikido weapons class and then downtown. For another, the failure to decisively defeat racism hatred, and division did not seem like something to celebrate. But my wife bucked me up, telling me that I was fully capable, even at age 70, of carrying the horn all that way, and that it was my band which I profess to love so much, doing this. On top of that I would surely love it.

We were outside, the spectators all wore masks, our percussionists wore masks, wind instrument players wore them when not actively playing, we kept it moving reasonably well, and we maintained distance as best we could, paying particular attention to the distant between the spectators and the band, so I suppose it was safe enough.

It was all very festive but I am sure that I am far from the only one harboring doubts. But then hatred, racism, and division will never be easily defeated if at all. Joe Biden has won a poisoned chalice. McConnell & Co. will do their best to make it suck, whatever the cost in lives and honor. It required an Herkulian effort to defeat Donald Trump the man. Donald Trump the idea is a whole different story. Do we have the courage for the long haul?