I think that is one of the very important elements to this song, Joanne. We tend to make icons of our heroes, and we lose something in doing that. It almost dehumanizes them. The Rockwell painting linked in the post above should be a link on any post of this song. Heroes, such as these lads, were real people often who never expected nor desired this. Think of the lost potential, and of the mothers, brothers, sisters, and families grieving their loss. Think of the terror they faced. Then wash it with the knowledge that they were doing something good, and trying to help others, and seek justice.

Yes ..... this song captures it well. When one looks at Obama, and what he represents, and what it took to get us to this feel good moment, and the feelings and sacrifice of so many represented by these three young men ........ yes, this song puts it right where it needs to be.

Mick

Postscript: It bothers me greatly when we arrive at a moment in history like these times, and the uninvolved observers simply clasp their hands and say, "see how great we are. There is no racism, that was a long time ago. Get over it." That attitude is what spawned the old saw, "those that forget history are bound to repeat it". Reflection on the costs, the price paid, a full understanding of the evil and the blood spilled, and the pain to families over generations ..... these are the ways we both appreciate where we have come to, and commit to never allowing it again. Getting it, we will never allow language or actions that enslave, not just physically, but mentally and soulfully, from happening again. And as the bards of the modern times, that is the task of the singer songwriter. Crabtree and Mills, in this song, have taken up that mantle.