One fine day: Celebration on Center Street brings out the best in everyone

We rolled down our windows and rambled downtown Saturday for a stroll along Center Street.

The annual Taste of Wayne was rolling along by the time we got there, and though it was a bit more humid standing still than in the truck with the wind flowing over us, it was still a gorgeous day.

The music was pumping and the food, most of it, piping hot and what a refreshing sight to see.

No one was yelling "Black Lives Matter," and no one was yelling that they didn't.

No one took a knee unless it was to tie a shoe or to take a photo.

The Goldsboro Police Department was on hand and no one walked up to an officer and said "Hands up, don't shoot," and no one had to be asked to put their hands up.

We don't say that to be racist. We don't say it to be conservative or liberal. The point is that no signs of the social, political or racial discord seemingly ever present these days were visible downtown Saturday. And that was sort of the point.

Despite our collective Facebook tendencies and our impulses when our conditioned responses are prompted, regardless of whether they are right or left leaning, we can all be civil when we choose to be.

Our hope ---- it has been all along, but it was nice to be reminded that all things truly are possible ---- is that we can go on treating each other as neighbors, with kindness and joy and shared appreciation for the places we live, work, eat and listen to music.

Screaming, shouting, chanting and carrying tiki torches isn't going to change the mind of anyone who agrees or disagrees with whatever point whichever group brings to the table.

So instead, let's talk, let's eat' lets smile, dance and take silly photos with food on our faces.

Published in Editorials on October 14, 2017 6:54 PM