Welcome to Friday Fictioneers!
On Wednesday, the nation celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom that took place on August 28, 1963. As we take steps toward the future that Dr. King envisioned, we struggle with our troubled history in the hope that we will not reverse the progress that has been made.
I was overjoyed on Wednesday to see that our Friday Fictioneers facilitator (say that three times really fast!) gave us a photo prompt of Union Station. Our colleague, Dawn M. Miller, took a photo that shows the timeless beauty of the architecture as well as its modernized setting. Thank you, Dawn, for this thought provoking photo!
I imagined the foot traffic that this station experienced on August 28th, 1963–and August 28th, 2013. I imagined a very specific pair of feet amongst the crowd.
Union Station, Washington, D.C. – Photo Copyright: Dawn M. Miller
Fifty Years Later
by Jan Brown
I’ve walked so far in these shoes.
I bought them for the March on Washington in 1963. I stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial in them, listening to Dr. King’s vision of the future.
I wore them all through the next year of college. Wore them down south that summer, walking and driving dusty, unpaved roads to small churches. Wore them when I wept over the burnt-out shell of the Mt. Zion church.
Five days later, I died in these same shoes.
I will wear them until all those responsible have been called to account. By man or God.
James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwermer – Civil rights activists murdered by the KKK in June, 1964
mezzojan 
Great use of the prompt and a very appropriate story for this week.
BTW – I didn’t see you on inlinkz page.
Thank you, Russ!
Such a powerful story in an understated way. Thank you for the history lesson and thought-provoking story.
Thank you for the kind comment!
That was very beautiful. Thank you, Jan. Lest we forget….
Thank you, Linda!
You really did your homework, and came up with a very touching story.
Thank you, Patti. I wanted to do something meaningful to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the March. I’m glad it resonated with you.
Thank you for giving us a glimpse into the history. Hope justice has been done
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Dear jan,
You pulled of a masterpiece this week. Well done. History is so much more powerful when we become involved oursaelves and your story involved us. Thank you.
Aloha,
Doug
Doug, thank you for your kind comments. I was inspired by events. I let the story idea “cook” for a couple of days, then followed where it led. I really appreciate your feedback.
Mahalo,
Jan
Dear Jan,
Beautifully engaging. I agree with Doug. A masterpiece and a story after my own heart. Well written and touching. This one brought me to tears. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Rochelle, you are a master of 100-word historical fiction (or historical fiction of any length!), so your positive feedback really means a lot to me.
I’m so glad to know the story had an impact. Thank you very much.
Peace,
Jan
Well done – perfect link to the news of then and now. I really appreciated the detail and heart you gave the story.
Thank you, Erin!
powerful, moving story. well done 🙂
Thank you for your comment, kz. Greatly appeciated!
Terrific use of the prompt. Well done Jan.
Thank you for stopping by, Sandra. Have a great weekend!
Hi Jan,
Powerful and timely story and the way you worked in historical events was brilliant. ron
Thank you very much for your kind comment, Ron!
Great use of the prompt for this week and it was wonderful to see the sign that was erected. Thanks,Jan!
Perry, thank you for reading and commenting. Have a lovely long weekend!
A poignant use of the prompt and thanks for the kudos.
Thank you, and you’re welcome!
What a great story… needs to be told and retold.
Yes, we can never forget the price of freedom and equality. Thank you for visiting and commenting, Bjorn!
Great use of the prompt, Jan. Very powerful and haunting
Thank you very much, Celestine.