So Long Birmingham
Saturday was a long but adventursome day. We started the day hoping to enter the 16th street Baptist church. Several students reported on the church, the four girls killed but when we arrived downtown the shurch was closed.
We received conflicting information about why the church was closed but in the end it seems that Mr. Green, someone we have gotten to know over the years is now ill. He works at both the Civil Rights Museum but is also the “keeper” at the church.
When we met with Ms. Peggy Heidi, Ms. Barbara Shores and Judge Helen Shores Lee, each in their own way did mention the significance of the church. Hopefull, we will be able to attend services there on Sunday.
Although I have heard the stories of these extraordinary citizens of Birmingham it is exciliarating to hear from them again. They tell a story that is not found in the history books.
The visit to “dynamite hill” is always important. On the bus I asked several students how it would feel to wake up and then go to sleep again after your house was bombed. They just looked at me without answering.
The home visit with the lady across the street from Prof. Angela Davis home was just great. The interwoving story of purchasing the home (in a white neighborhood, the street split the races) and living there with white mobs wanting to buy them out I think gave the students an up close view of what it was like in the real world of Birmingham in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. She remembered us from the last visit two years ago.
Cameron Cole, a Wake alum, had some of his friends meet us at the Dreamland BBQ joint. Our class seemed to be so happy there, talking with each other about the day. We placed selected students around the tabless to make sure that we, at day 2, got everyone properly introduced to each other.
A long day, but important towards getting the course off the ground.
Mr. Ingramm led the end of day reflections and from all accounts these are going well.
Today (Sunday) we are headed to Montgomery? We will attend 16th Street Baptist church this morning, do some shopping later and several students and Ronnie (our bus driver) are wanting to watch the big NASCAR race later today. We also pick up Kendra at the airport as she is flying in from Atlanta after attending a family members wedding.
See ya,
Earl Smith