Angela Onwuachi-Willig '94 pens op-ed on understanding content of our character

Personally, I experienced an eruption of emotion each time I saw an elderly black woman or man, striding slowly but proudly with a cane or being pushed in a wheelchair, to witness what once had seemed unimaginable in their lifetimes — to see the fruits of their sacrifices and protests. Mostly, I delighted in the enchanted atmosphere that hung in the air — the beaming smiles on faces of all races; the warmth that people showed one another on that freezing day; the patience of many who waited peacefully in line for hours to share more than just a ceremonial moment together; and the boundless optimism that burrowed into the hearts of Americans there (and across the nation), making us all believe, even if just for one fleeting moment, that we might overcome.