The Importance of Being Present

The narrator expresses frustration with the lack of consequences for acts of violence against Black individuals. They emphasize the emotional impact of witnessing such incidents and the collective identity felt within the Black community. The narrator highlights the importance of standing up for oneself and hopes for justice. They also acknowledge the historical context of racism and violence in Montgomery, Alabama. The narrator concludes by stating that in the year 2023, it is a safe assumption that the man in the incident could have been killed.