Day 7: The End = A New Beginning

It seems all too fitting to end our seven-day odyssey in Atlanta along Auburn Avenue. This location has long been the heart of Black Atlanta. It is also the birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr., the location of his home church Ebenezer Baptist, and the site of his and Coretta Scott King's tombs.



The students spent the morning taking in the sites along Auburn. Each time I have visited, there is always a buzz throughout the couple of blocks between Ebenezer and the King birth home. Saturday was no different. We saw local folk going about their daily routines, tourists taking in the sites, school groups like ours absorbing the historical information at every turn, and even families using the surroundings as a background for organized reunions. Amazingly, we bumped into the very youth group from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute who toured us through their facility three days earlier.

The National Park Service operates a visitor center devoted to King's work and legacy. It holds an intimate but informative museum complete with a hands-on children's section, engaging video clips, and several artifacts from the era. What I found most engaging, however, was a brief 15-minute film titled "Children of Courage," which accounted the contributions of young men and women throughout the Movement. The film also showed a contemporary classroom of students the age of the Stratford-Richardson youth. They all voiced a promise to continue the positive work of King, John Lewis and Dianne Nash, the Little Rock 9, the Children's March veterans, and hosts of others who prepared the way for this generation.

Few, including me, feel that the sacrifices and victories of the Movement veterans have solved every problem facing our society. Hard, yet rewarding, work remains to make the "beloved community" that King and others envisioned a reality. With a new generation being introduced to the impact that Movement participants had on their society, I feel confident that young people, like those at the Stratford-Richardson YMCA and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (and many of other organizations doing positive work), will look for ways to be positively engaged in their communities, nation, and world.



Our work doesn't end with the culmination of this tour. . . . Here is where we begin.

In just 10 days, the participants on the tour will meet to develop ways to share their experiences with the broader community. One way that we plan to accomplish this is through an exhibit of photography and student reflection. Please re-visit the blog, stay in touch with me or the Stratford-Richardson YMCA for upcoming information.

Day Six: Weary Feet, Rested Souls - Montgomery

I'm almost embarrassed to return to this time honored paraphrase of a Montgomery Bus Boycott participant when asked how she was holding up after months of steering clear of the city bus lines. I use it while teaching; I introduced it to our students on tour; it is currently my facebook status update; it is the title from an on-line journal I wrote while on tour with a University of Virginia group led by Julian Bond (see http://historytravels.blogspot.com).

But, I refuse to apologize for overuse of a perfect visual for what my students and I are feeling on Day Six of our tour. We've endured three-days of 90+ degree heat (reached 100 today) and stifling humidity. We reached the 1,600 mile mark on the bus today. Any drive longer than 20 minutes, and everyone in the group is sound asleep, save me and my wife, Molly--our support vehicle driver. Dinners seldom happen until after 8 or 9 o'clock. Lunches are always on the run to the next venue. Pool time in the hotel seems ubiquitously cut short due to time constraints.



I witnessed the group reach a critical turning point at the close of our tour through Montgomery today. And it surprised me, I must admit. My expectations prepared me for the gripe-fest and selfish overtones that generally accompany a week away from familiar surroundings--comfy pillows and bed, mom's home cookin', and that well-worn chair in the living room. I had steadied myself not to react to any negative vibes coming from exceedingly tired young folk (I've seen the worst happen in college groups overseas and have been one of the "ready to get home at any cost" tour participants a time or two, also).

But, at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church Parsonage, the Stratford-Richardson teens, instead of falling into the tour malaise, individually approached me (on their own terms) and thanked me for allowing them to be on the trip. It was a heartfelt moment--honest to the core. I had to fight back the proud parent moment that usually makes me grab my children and pull them close in a bear hug.



Maybe it was our destinations today that made the difference. We walked through Dexter Avenue Baptist Church (King's first appointment as pastor). The students learned that the building was constructed on property that had once been a Montgomery slave pen--only a stone's throw from the state capitol of Alabama. They each stood behind the pulpit that King used, imagining themselves stirring a crowd into action with a rhetorical flourish. They walked though the King family home in Montgomery, considering the humble environs and relieved to know that terrorist bombers in 1956 did not harm anyone with their unwarranted attack--and amazed that King demanded a non-violent reaction in the face this unjust deed. At the Civil Rights Memorial Center of the Southern Poverty Law Center, the students were introduced to 40 martyrs of the Movement. Moreover, they were encouraged to participate in the ongoing battles against injustices big and small by placing their names on the Wall of Tolerance. This act would now make them participants of the Movement--no longer simply students. To their credit, every student, adult, and even my young children signed the pledge. Their names now cascade down the Wall with the likes of Julian Bond and Morris Dees.



But as I look for an explanation of the positive turning point on our trip--where many begin to turn somewhat sour, I realize that I need only to look at the young men and women themselves. In the short time I've know them, they have matured beyond their years. Now, true, they still know how to be silly and have fun, but they are forever changed through this experience. My sense is that not only do each of them realize this, but they are beginning to embrace the possibilities.

Day 5: "Get in the Way" - Selma

In March 2008, I had the opportunity to meet a historical hero of mine, John Lewis. Congressman Lewis was a participant of just about every significant struggle of the Civil Rights era, from the sit-ins to voter rights initiatives. Moreover, he continues to lead the charge to secure the most basic of human rights for citizens of the nation and world. During my few short moments with him, I asked what I, as a professor interested in teaching Movement history, should instruct students to take from the example that he and so many others set some 50 years before. Congressman Lewis didn't even hesitate to search for a proper answer. He looked me in the eye and simply said, "Tell your students to get in the way."



Throughout his adult life, Lewis has been the embodiment of "getting in the way." He laid his life on the line more than once and has the physical scars to prove it. But more importantly for him is the continued progress toward justice and freedom that society has taken and the willingness of generations after him to follow his lead.

It is this reason why I wanted the Stratford-Richardson teens to visit Selma, Alabama. All too often, the events that took place throughout the early months of 1965 are seldom mentioned in school classrooms with the weight of the Montgomery Bus Boycott or Birmingham Children's Marches. However, to hear veterans of the Movement explain the narrative, Selma seems to be the hallmark.

The group booked a Footprints to Freedom tour with the National Voting Rights Museum. This allowed us to visit the small, but compelling exhibit halls of the museum, to see the landmarks of the Selma campaign, including the Brown Chapel AMC Church (the organizational hub for the 1965 marches). Our tour guide, Sam, directed us through a mind-boggling series of details that led to the Selma to Montgomery march. More importantly for our students though was the willingness of Mr. Sam to share his memories of 1965. He was 11 years old that year--so much like our time spent in Birmingham, the students could directly connect him to their own lives. In addition, they now had someone tangible to discuss those experiences with. No longer were Movement participants simply pictures, words on a page, or a series of monuments; they were flesh and bone.



A surprise element to our tour was a visit to the Slavery and Civil War Museum. There the group participated in a historical drama that similated what the experience of slavery must have been like for millions of men, women, and children compelled to relinquish their freedom and dignity. The experience was chilling, and as a teacher concerned me somewhat. I didn't quite know how these young men and women might handle the in-your-face approach to history. Thankfully, a planned discussion and reflection ended the program. Amist tears and emotion, we shared the experience, questions, and vowed to return home changed people.

Our final task was to march the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which has become the most recognizable symbol of Selma--tied directly with the brutality of the Alabama State Patrol, the bravery of voting rights marchers, and one of the most significant successes of the Movemnt. I walked the bridge with both my daughters, Elly and Sarah. Young Sarah (who is 6) was particularly worried about the height of the bridge and the swift waters of the Alabama River below. She wasn't sure that she wanted to cross to the other side. I reminded her that this was the very bridge that John Lewis marched across in 1965. For her 1st grade Social Studies project, Sarah created a biographical poster explaining Congressman Lewis's historical significance. I told her the story of Mr. Lewis crossing the bridge knowing that he would probably be beaten that day. The alternative to jump into the waters below proved not much better for him--he could not swim. Yet, with all those realities facing him, John Lewis vowed to "get in the way."



That was enough for Sarah to raise her head up and proudly march the rest of the way.

The Team

I think it is important for me to introduce the teens that are participating in this trip. As you know, they could have been doing anything else but they chose to participate in this great experience! Each teen was hand selected! Some of them are new to the teen program and some of them are very active! No matter what, they all have new life long friends!

Beau - 12 years old Beau is new to the Stratford Richardson YMCA but not new to the YMCA. He got on the bus and immediately made friends! THIS KID IS HILARIOUS!! I am soo glad he joined us on this trip!

Ms. Jasmine - 15 years old This sweetie pie is soo smart! I can always depend on her (and her mother) to participate in all of the activities at the Stratford Richardson YMCA! Look at for her...she is going places!

Arqueis - 15 years old He purchased that harmonica at the Delta Blues Museum and has been practicing ever since! He is an avid basketball player but who knows...maybe he found a new passion on this trip!

Aliyah - 14 years old This young lady has been asking for Starbucks ever since she got on the bus! (she lucked up because our hotel in birmingham actually serves starbucks) She is such a great girl! Only the best for this one!



Rashaad - 13 years old Dont let that look fool you! This one is a funny one too! Rashaad is also new to the program but he didnt let that stop him! He got on the bus and immediately became friends with everyone!

Ne-Ne - 17 years old My baby Ne Ne! This young lady has soo much talent and she proves it everyday on the bus when she just breaks out and sings random songs for us! We have heard everything from Aretha Franklin to Disney Tunes!

Fredo - 16 years old This is our "Y Child". Fredo cant go a day without coming to the YMCA and if he does, the whole staff starts looking for him!

Ms. Kalisha - 17 years old Kalisha is a great ball player! I went to one of her games and saw her sink a 3 point shot at the buzzer! But we have learned something else about Kalisha on this trip....THE GIRL LOVES RIBS!!! As a matter of fact she and Arqueis wrote a song about her love of ribs to his harmonica!

Quan - 14 years old Our dancing man! While Ne Ne is singing, Quan is dancing! Which provides for great times on the bus!

Mr. Mike - The mastermind of this whole trip and our tour guide!

Ms. Molly - Our videographer!

Elly and Sarah - Our adopted sisters

Mr. Malachia - my right hand man and the kids favorite counselor

And me Ms. Jessica - People ask me "Do you have any kids?" I say....hundreds of them! All my kids at work! Off to Selma!

Wish you were here! XOXO,

Ms. Jessica

Day 4 - Birmingham, Alabama

Today was a special treat for the teens! They really got to see how children (their age)participated in the Civil Rights Movement! While we were at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (which is one of the best museums i have ever been to) we recieved a special treat. Our tour guides were high school students! Let me tell you...these teens were sharp! 15 years old and they had memorized dates, names, locations! IT WAS AMAZING!! I couldn't stop telling them how proud I was of them! I also told them that they were welcome at the YMCA in Charlotte anytime! When I left, the young lady that's in charge of the tour guide program told me that there were already making plans to come visit! :) Anyway....here are the pics from Day 4! Hope you enjoy!

Teens at the Birmingham YMCA Youth Center! (i think i might have shed a tear when I walked in this place! A program director's dream facility! LOL!)

Teens at the 16th Street Baptist Church where the 4 little girls were killed.


This is one of my favorite shots. This is a statue in Kelly Ingram Park. The statue says "I Ain't Afraid of Your Jail". I told the teens I wanted to take a picture of them in front of the statue, but I only wanted them to get in the picture if they believed the message and could do what the children before them had done. As you can see...all of them are in the picture!



Teens on the 16th Street Baptist Church steps.



We are off to Selma tomorrow! Day 5 here we come!





Wish You Were Here! XOXO,

Ms. Jessica

Day 3 - Photos from Mississippi

Day 3 was a long day but great day! At one point I felt a little bad for Mr. Mike. Next year we have got to get a charter bus! :) We traveled from Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL. Here are some pictures of our journey!!

A statue of James Meredith on the campus of Ole Miss (University of Mississippi)

Teens walking in "the cirle" on the campus of Ole Miss

This picture is actually from Day 2 in Memphis but I had to share it!

Mr. Mike enjoying his dry ribs (a Memphis treat!) at Corky's.

Teens and Chaperones at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, MS.


The infamous Crossroads in Mississippi. It is believed that blues great Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil at this location.




Wish you were here! XOXO,

Ms. Jessica

Day 4 Birmingham by Beau

The first stop that we made was to the Kelly Ingram park. To me, this was the most interesting thing about this trip. There were sculptors of attack dogs and children being hosed down by fire hoses. If you didn't know this, Kelly Ingram park was the spot where the Children's March was. It was a little disturbing, but the fascinating spots and sculptors drew me in.

The next spot was the Civil Rights Institute. It was a hands-down well performed tour. I learned about James Maredith, the man who integrated the Mississippi University, otherwise known as Ole Miss. The scary thing about him was he was attempted to be assassinated and had to be escorted to class and everywhere on campus by soldiers 24/7. The sad part was he was attacked from a bush, and hit with a shotgun blast.

The last place we visited was the 16th Street Baptist Church. This church is special because 4 teenage girls were killed by a bomb here in 1963. The spot was rebuilt into a kitchen, which was a bit disturbing to me, because something like that should be preserved. It was also where mass meetings would be held to plan sit-ins and marches and other retaliation to the white man. In my opinion, the most important thing this church served as, was when they marched to the bridge, they refuged back here. The scary thing was the tear-gassed them and once they got to the church, the shot the windows.