Smith: It waves for what just happened, and what lies ahead

Late, late night for you, too, on Tuesday? I stayed up to hear the first comments by President-elect Donald Trump and to flip from one TV analysis to another until nearly all the newscasts signed off.

Slept in a bit Wednesday, then slipped my American flag into the bracket out next to the garage. Whatever passersby might infer, I did it because the country had once again, for the most part, peaceably transferred power, whether in the White House or on the local school board.

I thought also as I placed the flag of all the people moved to tears and truly terrified by the prospect of what it may mean for this particular man to assume the power of the U.S. presidency. I thought of all those who voted for Trump and who rejoice at prospects of what his victory might do for them and their families.

I put up the flag because the ideals it embodies are comforting as the 325 million of us approach the swearing-in on Jan. 20 and the vast uncertainties that will follow. Great confrontations seem inevitable, as they would had Clinton prevailed. It feels that with the 2016 campaign finally over, we approach the outbreak of something akin to a cultural civil war. May we surprise ourselves and the world by how far we go to keep to higher ground and to remember that we all live beneath the same flag.

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FAITH RINGGOLD, the artist and equal-rights activist and author, may reflect on the election during her appearance Saturday at the Art Museum of Sonoma County.

Ringgold, 86, is known for her story quilts, paintings and books, among them the Caldecott Medal-winning “Tar Beach,” the story of an 8-year-old girl who sets out a towel on a Harlem rooftop and dreams of being completely free.

Ringgold will speak about her life and work starting at 5 p.m. at the Santa Rosa museum, currently home to the exhibit, “Faith Ringgold: An American Artist.” There are details at sonomacountymuseum.org.

A New Jersey resident and professor emeritus at UC San Diego, the artist-activist has said, “Although I love a beautiful vase of flowers, a sumptuous landscape or a sunset, I will not be moved to paint one of these without a meaningful personal reference that is also political.”

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BOOGIE FOR JAZZY: What promises to be one rockin’, heart-filling good time is coming together for the evening of Nov. 20 at Petaluma’s Mystic Theatre.

It’s a lot of talented, caring people coming together to sing, tell stories, eat and raise some money for Jazzy Mejia, the 8-year-old Petaluma girl paralyzed in a 2013 highway crash caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Performers include Sean Hayes, Royal Jelly Jive and Charlie Crocket. Survivors of spinal-cord injuries will speak. Food from Seared and Pizza Politana will be savored. Surprise appearances will occur.

Tickets are at mystictheatre.com. The dollars raised will go to the Mejia family, who struggle with the challenges of getting Jazzy the therapeutic services she needs, and with the limitations of living in a small apartment.

Jazzy is a creative kid who makes limited use of her hands and arms and is determined to live a productive life.

The people producing the “Dear Jazzy” benefit at the Mystic want to enhance the chances that she will.

Chris Smith is at 707-521-5211 and chris.smith@pressdemocrat.com.