Today we traveled to downtown Birmingham. As I got off the bus, I went directly to the group of people at Kelly Ingram Park where there was some sort of rally being held. As I sat down to listen to the program, I engaged in conversation with an older man who had a lot to say about the government and the state of young blacks in Birmingham and around the country. One of the most interesting points the man made when we spoke was about how many of the whites who previously lived in Birmingham had moved into a neighboring county. He went on to talk about how a majority of those white people who moved to the neighboring county would commute to work in Birmingham in county official and public office positions. Aside from the obvious problems with this, there are inherent obstacles that arise from misplaced representation controlling what goes on in a particular region.

I feel like a lot of the problems with the flawed conditions of the Deep South lie in the fact that although things may seem better on the surface, the true problems of inequalities have been ignored and disregarded because now, whites have the option of moving away, no longer forced to coexist with blacks in the South. The rally appeared to have low attendance in general and of those people present, there may have been two or three whites total. I think that the obvious issues of white flight, in Birmingham especially, may only help to facilitate racist beliefs while allowing people to escape actual confrontation. There is no longer the same sense of struggle or urgency for change because the battle has developed into a much more subliminal one.

Looking back on the discussion we had with the Shores sisters and Peggy Heidi, I really appreciate their point of view and perspectives on the Deep South. I was impressed with the Honorable Judge’s comments. It seems that she has had a fiery spirit for most of her life. These sisters lived through attempted kidnappings, attempted murders, and general acts of terrorism all because of their father’s position in the community and his legislation to end segregation. The circumstances in Birmingham gave these sisters and their entire family so many reasons to carry hate in their hearts. Even though certain instances in their lives may have caused them to act out in anger, the sisters seemed to channel most of that negative energy into motivation to make their lives better and learn how to combat oppression. I think that speaking with them was very valuable in gaining a better understanding of the way things were during the movement.

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 16^th 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 16^th 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 ………………… 

 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.