Day 2
Today, we got up extremely early for a technology session that was very
The first assignment by “The Distinguished Sergeant Hattery,” was for the class to visit the 16th St. Baptist Church, The Civil Rights Museum, and Kelly Ingram Park by 12pm. The bad news is I only had time to explore the park thoroughly. However, the good news is that the park was booming with excitement. In fact, today several organizations, government officials, and citizens came together for a “Stop the Violence Peace Rally.” I believe that this rally was very important because of its primary purpose; as well as its indirect purpose to bring together individuals of various ages to interact in a historical setting to gain valuable knowledge. (BTW1: I met this girl in the park named Stephanie Keahey.) (BTW2: I stepped across the street to the Civil Rights Museum for a few minutes and met a Tulane student, Alessandra)
I was really moved to know that the grounds on which I stood paved the way for me to attend Wake Forest University; to have the opportunity achieve the “American Dream”; and to have hope that my children would also enjoy the same privilege. It was in this very park that countless children sacrificed themselves; as they fled out of the 16th St. Baptist Church into the park to be met with ragging dogs and highly pressurized water; and hauled off to local jails and fairground animal cages. The tangible sites were moving beyond what any collaboration of words could attempt to describe. I can truly say I was truly changed. I have always harbored a deep desire to serve the community because of the obstacles that I have overcome; but today taught me that the obligation to give back to the community and to raise awareness about ongoing issues in society run deeper than any pain that I have ever personally experienced in life.
Up to this point, the food has been phenomenal. And, today’s lunch was no exception. We stopped in at “Mrs. B’s.” The soul food that this restaurant served up was “finger lickin’ good.”
After lunch, we had the distinct privilege of meeting with Peggy Heidi, Barbara Shores, and the Honorable Judge Helen Shores Lee in the Civil Rights Museum. They told us stories of their childhood living on Center Street Hill (Dynamite Hill); which was divided into two sections for Caucasians (West Side) and African Americans (East Side). The Shores’ father was the attorney for the NAACP; which afforded them the opportunity to have many historical figures into their home such as Supreme Court Justice Marshall. (BTW3: Judge Shores Lee rode Justice Marshall’s back as a kid)
It was both funny and disturbing to hear the stories about how Judge Shores Lee, at a very early age, fought against segregation. She told us how she once moved the whites only board so that her and her mom could have a seat. Also, how she drunk from a whites only fountain. Despite the fact that these stories were funny the disturbing part was that these ladies and the kids in Kelly Ingram Park sacrificed their lives to fight against segregation, yet, today young people aren’t willing to engage in safe demonstrations against injustices that still persist.
I was captivated by the comments that were made by the ladies in regard to the work that is left to be done, and how they believe that society currently lacks “real leaders” that are committed to change. Nevertheless, the comment that I loved the most was concerning the church. Judge Shores Lee said the church can make an impact; but what she see’s is a church that is more concerned with making profits; as opposed to making a difference. This was very important to me because I firmly believe that Americans need to stand back and critically examine the role that we think the church should fulfill, and what is actually being done.
We ended the day by meeting Cameron Cole for dinner at DreamLand BBQ.
To be continued …………………