My grandfather was a professional opera singer; he absolutely loved to sing. Well into his 80s, he would break into song at some point during every family gathering. Of all the stories about my grandfather and his opera career, the one that stands out the most was the moment when he refused to sing...
Just over 150 years ago, John Alvord—a minister and abolitionist—celebrated when President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. But he knew that a change in legal status—finally recognizing our shared humanity—was only the beginning. As men and women began to rebuild their lives in post-slavery America, he understood that it would be essential for former...