I am in awe of the many men and women of the Civil Rights movement, whose commitment of not only their time and money, but also their lives, made so much possible, helped create the changes that the Movement is responsible for.
It was a very full day in Birmingham. After breakfast we were bused to Bethel Baptist Church, the new home of the congregation which had been, along with it’s pastor, at the center of the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham. After worship and lunch we went to the original, or the Historic Bethel Baptist Church, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Kelly Ingram Park, both across the street from the Institute. In the evening, we went to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Birmingham, for dinner and a presentation.
There is so much to say that this note could easily become a history lesson, and I don’t want it to be that. But ...
The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, the activist leader of the Movement in Birmingham, had his house (next door to the historic church) bombed, was beat and arrested numerous times, and yet still put his life on the line, for the hope of justice. He was co-founder of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, which came into being just a few days after the NAACP in Alabama was outlawed. Under his leadership, the non-violent actions the Movement became known for, were already being used in attempts to get Black representation on the police force, in public transportation as bus drivers, and other areas of Birmingham society. The Birmingham airport is named for him. There are several walks or marches identified throughout the neighborhood of the church and the downtown area where actions occurred, many bearing words he uttered about the fight for justice. He walked along side MLK, Jr., and Abernathy and other giants. Historic Bethel, no longer used as a worship center, is being considered as a potential World Heritage site.
The 16th Street Baptist Church, the church that was bombed and 4 young girls killed, and in the confusion and fighting afterwards, 2 young men also killed.
The Kelly Ingram Park, the sight of one of the vilest events in the history of the Movement in Birmingham, where the children were hosed and dogs unleashed upon them at the command of “Bull” Connor, the Commissioner of Public Safety for Birmingham.
I am impressed with the organization it took to get people fired up and committed to fight for basic rights. Every Monday night, EVERY Monday night, there were meetings at several churches throughout the area, where people would go to rally together, learn, and plan. Every Monday night, for years.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute houses the history of the movement in Birmingham, from it’s founding to the present.
There is/was too much to take in, and too much to relate without, as said before, this becoming a recitation of history. But there are a few things (among the many) that stuck me or pulled at me, or twisted my gut – nothing really new, but grabbed me just the same.
The Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights had a Pledge that members were required to sign on to. Two of the Ten Commandments members agreed to were;
#2 Remember always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation – not victory.
#8 Refrain from violence of fist, tongue and heart.
The folks were still fighting Jim Crow … in the South. But the goal was to be able to live together with those who are white, to be reconciled – there was a bigger picture in mind, not just the cessation of the evilness of racism. And in order to achieve this reconciliation, it needed to be an interior process too. It could not be just refraining from striking out with the fist, but ultimately, working on the soul to love enough, to know that the only way to get there was with a change in hearts.
And yet, Birmingham still struggles today with voter suppression among other issues. I spoke with a gentleman in the Institute, who was easily in his 80’s, and guiding people through a hallway into the main exhibit. When I asked if he was a native of the city and said I bet he has seen many changes, his reply was, “Yes, and need many, many more”.
I am in awe that people living so close to Jim Crow risked their lives in so many ways. Even the children who marched. Perhaps naively, but even some of them were quoted, “I am not afraid”.
And then there are things that repulsed me. Like the video of a society matron who said she was unaware there was much prejudice in Birmingham. She recounted a story about an essay contest held in the schools. The winner would have his or her essay framed and on display at the Library. She got a call when the winner’s family showed up at the library, to see the display. She didn’t know until that call, that the winner was a Black student. Blacks weren’t allowed to go into the Library. At all. After giving it some thought, she made it possible for the family to get in, outside of the regular business hours. She was happy to know that the good people in the Black community were really content with Birmingham society and there wasn’t really any prejudice to speak of. I wanted to vomit right there in the middle of the room.
I am descended from gracious, resilient, strong people. I am not a violent person, but I think perhaps we as a people, and as a nation, have grown very complacent. Maybe we moved on too quickly from the lessons learned in the 50’s and 60’s. And in moving on we’ve lost some of our dignity, chosen to “settle” for what we were given instead of holding out for more.
I saw in the faces of the photographs, heard in the words and voices of the quotes, heard in the stories and saw in the artwork, the memorials, the statues in the park, the memorial garden that replaced where a parsonage used to be, the energy, the zeal, the palpable yearning of people just to be, and to be with dignity. To breathe, and to breathe freely. And to live, not in isolation, but in peace and in relationship with others.
Wow! What a goal. What a dream. What a reality?
Laura
It was a very full day in Birmingham. After breakfast we were bused to Bethel Baptist Church, the new home of the congregation which had been, along with it’s pastor, at the center of the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham. After worship and lunch we went to the original, or the Historic Bethel Baptist Church, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Kelly Ingram Park, both across the street from the Institute. In the evening, we went to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Birmingham, for dinner and a presentation.
There is so much to say that this note could easily become a history lesson, and I don’t want it to be that. But ...
The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, the activist leader of the Movement in Birmingham, had his house (next door to the historic church) bombed, was beat and arrested numerous times, and yet still put his life on the line, for the hope of justice. He was co-founder of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, which came into being just a few days after the NAACP in Alabama was outlawed. Under his leadership, the non-violent actions the Movement became known for, were already being used in attempts to get Black representation on the police force, in public transportation as bus drivers, and other areas of Birmingham society. The Birmingham airport is named for him. There are several walks or marches identified throughout the neighborhood of the church and the downtown area where actions occurred, many bearing words he uttered about the fight for justice. He walked along side MLK, Jr., and Abernathy and other giants. Historic Bethel, no longer used as a worship center, is being considered as a potential World Heritage site.
The 16th Street Baptist Church, the church that was bombed and 4 young girls killed, and in the confusion and fighting afterwards, 2 young men also killed.
The Kelly Ingram Park, the sight of one of the vilest events in the history of the Movement in Birmingham, where the children were hosed and dogs unleashed upon them at the command of “Bull” Connor, the Commissioner of Public Safety for Birmingham.
I am impressed with the organization it took to get people fired up and committed to fight for basic rights. Every Monday night, EVERY Monday night, there were meetings at several churches throughout the area, where people would go to rally together, learn, and plan. Every Monday night, for years.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute houses the history of the movement in Birmingham, from it’s founding to the present.
There is/was too much to take in, and too much to relate without, as said before, this becoming a recitation of history. But there are a few things (among the many) that stuck me or pulled at me, or twisted my gut – nothing really new, but grabbed me just the same.
The Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights had a Pledge that members were required to sign on to. Two of the Ten Commandments members agreed to were;
#2 Remember always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation – not victory.
#8 Refrain from violence of fist, tongue and heart.
The folks were still fighting Jim Crow … in the South. But the goal was to be able to live together with those who are white, to be reconciled – there was a bigger picture in mind, not just the cessation of the evilness of racism. And in order to achieve this reconciliation, it needed to be an interior process too. It could not be just refraining from striking out with the fist, but ultimately, working on the soul to love enough, to know that the only way to get there was with a change in hearts.
And yet, Birmingham still struggles today with voter suppression among other issues. I spoke with a gentleman in the Institute, who was easily in his 80’s, and guiding people through a hallway into the main exhibit. When I asked if he was a native of the city and said I bet he has seen many changes, his reply was, “Yes, and need many, many more”.
I am in awe that people living so close to Jim Crow risked their lives in so many ways. Even the children who marched. Perhaps naively, but even some of them were quoted, “I am not afraid”.
And then there are things that repulsed me. Like the video of a society matron who said she was unaware there was much prejudice in Birmingham. She recounted a story about an essay contest held in the schools. The winner would have his or her essay framed and on display at the Library. She got a call when the winner’s family showed up at the library, to see the display. She didn’t know until that call, that the winner was a Black student. Blacks weren’t allowed to go into the Library. At all. After giving it some thought, she made it possible for the family to get in, outside of the regular business hours. She was happy to know that the good people in the Black community were really content with Birmingham society and there wasn’t really any prejudice to speak of. I wanted to vomit right there in the middle of the room.
I am descended from gracious, resilient, strong people. I am not a violent person, but I think perhaps we as a people, and as a nation, have grown very complacent. Maybe we moved on too quickly from the lessons learned in the 50’s and 60’s. And in moving on we’ve lost some of our dignity, chosen to “settle” for what we were given instead of holding out for more.
I saw in the faces of the photographs, heard in the words and voices of the quotes, heard in the stories and saw in the artwork, the memorials, the statues in the park, the memorial garden that replaced where a parsonage used to be, the energy, the zeal, the palpable yearning of people just to be, and to be with dignity. To breathe, and to breathe freely. And to live, not in isolation, but in peace and in relationship with others.
Wow! What a goal. What a dream. What a reality?
Laura
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