The Historic Journey from Washington DC to Pennsylvania
Two days after Donald Trump declared victory, the 6am Greyhound bus from Washington DC to Pittsburgh and on to Ohio and Kentucky is a quarter full when the exquisitely grumpy driver pulls away from Union Station and into the embers of morning.
Union Station: A Grand Architectural Marvel
Union Station is a grand and beautiful building, designed to adhere to several shapely classical styles at the beginning of the 20th century. Sharply declining after its 1940s heyday, it nearly collapsed in the early 80s, and, after COVID-19, is collapsing once more. During World War II tens of thousands of passengers would pass through every day. On the morning of Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, one of those passengers was opera singer Marian Anderson, who arrived from Philadelphia and made her way through the triumphal arches of the entrance on the way to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. There, Anderson performed a free concert for 75,000 people, many of them the political elites of the time.
Marian Anderson’s Impact on Civil Rights
One book described the performance as “the concert that awakened America”, and when a 15-year-old Martin Luther King Jr won a speaking contest on the subject of “The Negro and the Constitution”, his entry heavily referenced the concert which he had heard live on the radio. During this period, Anderson was hugely successful, touring Europe and making the equivalent of several million dollars a year. But, as King’s oration pointed out, she still could not, at the time, “spend the night in any good hotel in America”. More than two decades later, in 1963, Anderson was present the day King gave his mythic, semi-improvised “I Have a Dream” speech from those same memorial steps.
The Musical Influence of James Ray
As the Greyhound headed north in the pale gold dawn, McKinley Technology High School slid by in silhouette. McKinley is about the closest thing to a shrine the mysterious RnB singer James Ray is ever likely to get. The Beatles regularly performed his minor hit “If You Gotta Make A Fool of Somebody” live after George Harrison had picked up a copy in Illinois. Harrison would have his third solo number one with an ecstatic cover of Ray’s “I Got My Mind Set On You”.
With its odd time signatures, strange instrumentation, the album may have had more of an influence on the sense of what was possible in the young Beatles’ percolating brains that Ray has received credit for.
Billie Holiday’s Impact on Music and Civil Rights
Further north, past clusters of tents erected around the Patapsco River, past the Second Chance Inc. warehouse, the Greyhound rolls on to Baltimore. Billie Holiday grew up here, sent by her mother to stay in the home of a cousin who beat her. At the age of twelve, she got a job scrubbing floors and running errands in a brothel so that she could listen to the music of Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith on their record player.
At the age of 23, she recorded the seething, funereal “Strange Fruit”. It was based on a poem by Jewish communist Abel Meeropol, written in response to the lynching of two black teenagers, Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith, in Indiana in 1930. It was released on the independent Commodore label after Holiday’s usual label Columbia refused to release it.
Holiday’s father Clarence had been exposed to mustard gas during his service in World War I. He died at the age of 38 after being denied medical treatment at a Texas hospital for the lung disorder that had developed as a result. Holiday died at the age of 44, left untreated in a hallway for hours because of the physical evidence of her long-time on-and-off heroin use.
Track four: Berlin, Pennsylvania. “dlp 1.1”
In the accelerated, unseasonably warm Fall this year, many of the trees that line the road in Pennsylvania’s southwest are already barren, but a little over half still have leaves the color of bronze, blood and flame. A little after the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel and a little way before Somerset, the trees rear up close to the road, thin as cell bars, as you pass through the region where, 10 miles to the north, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed on September 11, 2001.
# The Heroic Act of Passengers on 9/11: A Story of Bravery and Resilience
On that fateful morning of September 11, 2001, a group of hijackers attempted to carry out a devastating attack, possibly targeting the Capitol building in Washington, DC. However, their sinister plans were thwarted by the courageous actions of passengers on board the hijacked aircraft. Let’s delve deeper into this remarkable story of heroism and resilience.
## The Bravery of Passengers
### Overpowering the Hijackers
As the hijackers seized control of the airplane, the passengers onboard realized the gravity of the situation and decided to take matters into their own hands. With incredible bravery and determination, they managed to overpower the hijackers before they could reach their intended target. This act of heroism undoubtedly saved countless lives and prevented further devastation.
### William Basinski’s Experience
Amidst the chaos and confusion of the attacks, William Basinski, an experimental composer, found himself in a unique situation. He had just received an eviction notice from his Brooklyn apartment and was preparing for a job interview at the World Trade Centre. However, fate had other plans. The interview was scheduled later in the day, and by then, the buildings had already fallen. Basinski’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable and life-changing events of that tragic day.
## The Aftermath and Legacy
### Masha Gessen’s Perspective
Renowned writer Masha Gessen has compared the events of September 11, 2001, to Germany’s Reichstag fire, highlighting the far-reaching consequences and implications of that day. The impact of 9/11 reverberated not only in America but across the world, shaping global politics and security measures in the years to come.
### Remembering Mac Miller
In a poignant moment at a Kamala Harris rally in Pittsburgh, a journalist wore a cap that read “I miss Mac Miller.” The late rapper, born in Pittsburgh, left a lasting impact on the music industry with his poignant lyrics and distinctive style. His posthumous album “Circles” resonated with audiences, showcasing his talent and artistry.
### Opioid Crisis and Tragic Loss
The mention of fentanyl in Mac Miller’s story sheds light on the devastating opioid crisis that has plagued the United States. The aggressive marketing of powerful painkillers by pharmaceutical companies and the over-prescription by doctors have led to a staggering number of deaths. The tragic loss of lives due to opioid overdose serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective intervention and support systems.
## Conclusion
The events of September 11, 2001, will forever be etched in the collective memory of humanity. The heroic actions of passengers on that day exemplify the resilience and courage of the human spirit in the face of adversity. As we reflect on the legacy of 9/11, let us honor the memory of those who lost their lives and strive to build a more peaceful and united world.
### FAQ
#### What was the significance of the passengers’ actions on 9/11?
The passengers’ bravery in overpowering the hijackers prevented further devastation and saved countless lives.
#### How did Mac Miller’s music resonate with audiences?
Mac Miller’s posthumous album “Circles” captivated listeners with its melancholic melodies and introspective lyrics, showcasing his talent and artistry.
#### What is the opioid crisis, and why is it a pressing issue?
The opioid crisis in the US is a result of the aggressive marketing and over-prescription of powerful painkillers, leading to a high number of overdose deaths. It highlights the urgent need for intervention and support for those affected.