Faces that inspire

My North Carolina roots go back to before the Revolutionary War. Like many native North Carolinians, I am related by blood to people who owned slaves and also, by family legend confirmed by much evidence, to people who were slaves.

I am also related by blood, even more closely, both to people who passionately supported the civil rights movement and to people who opposed it. Both sets of people are a core, defining part of who I am.

That background helps explain why I was unexpectedly and overwhelmingly overcome with emotion when I saw The News & Observer's photographs of the demonstrators at the pro-diversity rally July 20. At first I saw black, white and brown, joining together in a common purpose. As I looked more closely, I saw mothers, fathers, grandparents, grandchildren, cousins, teachers, students and leaders, all with unmistakable passion and commitment.

As I looked even more closely, I saw future parents and teachers, leaders and fighters, in the faces of those children and students. By standing up for the cause of justice and equality, they honored their ancestors, as well as mine, and they inspired their descendants, as well as mine.

Swain Wood

Raleigh