Few American days were starker in their contrasts of hope and horror.
Saturday, after all, saw the dichotomy of a bold American leap into space, and a brutal lurch into profound civil unrest.
The horror of mass rioting in more than 30 major cities absorbed the nation’s attention. Hundreds were arrested, perhaps thousands, with some of the nation’s most famous streets became scenes of unbridled battle. The saturation of cell phone video cameras gave us a running tally of the mayhem. Imagery of burning police cars, smashed out windows, and warring Americans. Of camouflaged soldiers moving to support overwhelmed civil authorities. Of hyperventilating partisans on Twitter.
And yet, even amid the horror, there were the beacons of hope.
There was the protester in Minneapolis who so eloquently and passionately called for peace. It will be Americans like him who ensure some good comes of George Floyd’s terrible suffering.
There were the police officers in Washington, D.C. who I saw move to extricate a surrounded colleague, then retreat under taunting so as to allow the protesting crowd to vent.
There were those protesters who helped save a Dallas man from a mob that clearly sought to kill him, and would have otherwise succeeded.
But as American ground burned, above America, we found new reason to still believe in America.
Saturday also saw the first successful SpaceX rocket delivery of two American astronauts into orbit. Now on the international space station, those explorers and those who got them to their destination have reminded us of a special truth. Namely, that the age of American innovation and adventure never passed. And that our country can do great things if we are willing to try. Considering the great wonders that space may yet hold, this new chapter is worth than just a moment of transitory gratitude.
A bad day, then. But not definitively so.
