Social Stratification in the Deep South

Daily Journal/ 16^th Street Baptist Church:

Sixteenth Street Baptist Church of Birmingham, Alabama is a very historical church that I was able to attend. I truly enjoyed services this morning and I was used to the atmosphere of the church. I was raised and still attend a Black Baptist Church that is very similar to the 16^th Street Baptist Church. One of the most interesting aspects of the Church to me was the dynamics of the congregation. I expected a larger congregation but I think that the Church has probably been through a lot of changes within the past few years. The discussion that we had on the bus and in the smaller group in the restaurant was really insightful and interesting. I think the part of discussion that hit me the most was the points that people made about how the pastor addressed certain issues during the service. I find it interesting how the Black Baptist Church has such an important role in the community, with more than the religious aspect but also fighting against social injustices. The experience of going to such a historical church itself was really an amazing moment and I am glad we were able to attend their Sunday morning service.

Today, we drove to Montgomery, Alabama which is not very far from Birmingham. Going to the Wal Mart in Montgomery was interesting because it represented a central point in the city. I was also able to explore downtown Montgomery this evening with Kendra Stewart and Benny. We were able to see the point where the slave market was located in Montgomery, which is now very historical with markers and a beautiful fountain. The downtown Montgomery area seemed very abandoned and there was not a lot of commercial business. It was great seeing the historical, Dexter Baptist Church where Dr. King preached and has strong connections to the community. One of the more disturbing parts of the city’s historical and governmental areas was going to the state grounds and seeing the courtyard dedicated to the different Confederate flags. In the same area, there was the first White House for the Confederacy and a Civil Rights Memorial, with a beautiful monument based on a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. Overall, I enjoyed walking through downtown Montgomery and seeing all of the important institutions and how they relate to one another. I enjoyed my experiences in Montgomery today and I am looking forward to spending more time in the capital city of Alabama.

 Today was a memorable day. The day started with a technology discussion to get everyone comfortable with the course web site. It was a very efficient talk and it prepared me to begin the day. Our agenda was to explore the 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park and the  National Civil Rights Institute.  Unfortunately, the 16th Street Baptist Church was closed for Memorial Day. We were unable to go in the church today but tomorrow morning we will attend the service. However, being at Kelly Ingram Park was  a great time to personally reflect on the Children’s March and all that people in the past did so I would be able to come there in 2007 with a group of students from Wake Forest University. Interestingly enough, there was a peace rally going on at Kelly Ingram Park by the SCLC, and in a way it was a full circle moment. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute was a great experience as well. I was able to tour some of the museum but time constraints permitted and others from the group to finish exploring the museum. My favorite part of the musuem was the Confrontation Gallery, where we could hear the voices of adults, children, Whites and Blacks say things that they would only say behind closed doors. The question that the exhibit makes you ask yourself is, “Could that have been my voice?” After leaving the institute, we ate lunch at Mrs. B’s, a soul food cafe down the street from the church, park and museum.  Southern cooking is one of my favorite aspects of Southern culture. Mrs. B’s is well known and in the restaurant there are pictures of celebrities who have come and enjoyed the great food.

My favorite part of the day was the talk with Judge Helen Shores Lee, Mrs. Barbara Shores, and  Mrs. Peggy Heidi. The discussion was really personal and I loved the bond that the Shores sisters had with one another. This form of oral history is one of the fascinating ways to learn espcially for a Southern topic because of the importance of conversation for Southerners.  I enjoyed hearing the perspective of the bombings from both Black and White citizens of Dynamite Hill and how they both were affected by the bombings and prejudice in general. Mrs. Heidi represented a view point that is rarely depicted when discussing the Civil Rights Movement and the importance of a city like Birmingham in the movment. After the discussion, we were able to take a tour with Mrs. Heidi and it was a great experience to see the childhood home of Black Panther/Activist, Angela Davis. It is interesting to think of the racial and socio economic dynamics of Dynamite Hill during the Civil Rights Movement and present day. It seemed as if the street is now mostly Black, low to middle class families that live there.

Lastly, tonight we ate dinner at DreamLand BBQ with a Wake Forest alumnus, Cameron Cole. Cole is a native of Birmingham and he is the reason why we were able to meet with Mrs. Heidi and the Shores sisters today. Dinner was great and  seemed to make everyone feel at home because of the relaxed atmosphere.

Today, was our first day of the Social Stratification of the Deep South class.  We arrived in Birmingham, Alabama excited and anxious for the next two weeks of touring the deep South. On the bus today, one of my favorite discussions was answering the question of what it means to be a Southerner.  One comment that stuck out to me is that the South is more than a region,defined by geographic lines,  it is most importantly a culture. My favorite article for today’s class was the chapter by Dean Escott. I was able to take his First Year Seminar on the Reconstruction and Civil Rights Movement: two periods in history where the rights of Black Americans were at the front of the nation’s agenda.  So, I read it having a strong idea of the kinds things he would say about the South.

This city has so much to offer and I am already becoming more aware of how different this area of the country is from where I am from in Virginia. Historically, I am really looking forward to tomorrow’s events espcially after watching the documentary, The Children’s March. The student presentations were very powerful today, espcially learning more detailed information on the four young girls from the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing. I feel more in touch with a part of history that I have always had a deep passion for. I have read  books, listened to my grandparents discuss their childhood, look at pictures, watched documentaries and used many other media outlets.  But, there is nothing like experiencing a place for yourself and actually being there in the moment.

 In today’s class, the film we watched, Fried Green Tomatoes was very appropiate for our experiences today. I had seen the movie before, but I never thought I would dine at the Irondale Cafe, known for it’s fried green tomatoes and Southern style. Movies like Fried Green Tomatoes are some of my favorites because they have a historical basis and reflect on issues like race and gender relations in the US.  I am impressed by the quality of today’s adventures and I look forward to many other great experiences during this tour/class.

Daily reflection: this course will be great!