Day Seven Civil Rights Trip Reflections: Wednesday April 17
Day Seven Civil Rights Trip 2024!
Our full day at the Legacy Museum, Memorial for Peace & Justice, and the recently-opened Legacy Sculpture Memorial. Our day pulled together all that we have been learning from the first forced arrival of enslaved people in the 1600’s to the mass incarceration that continues today, spurred on by racism and racial inequality that continues still today. I don’t think anyone who goes through these museums is ever the same, as we‘re confronted with the most inhumane treatment of fellow human beings. Last year and this year again, I’m inspired and moved by this quote of Maya Angelou: ”History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” We must study and learn the history of our country. Equity, justice and peace can’t come until we face the cruelty forced upon millions of human beings. There were tears in our group today. It was a full, impactful day.
Off to Tuskegee tomorrow morning!
Day Six Civil Rights Trip Reflections: April Tuesday 16
Day Five Civil Rights Reflections: Monday April 15
Day Four Civil Rights Reflections: Sunday April 14
Day Three Civil Rights Reflections: Saturday April 13
Day 3 Civil Rights Trip 2024!
Day 3 Civil Rights trip in Birmingham! We spent the morning exploring Birmingham – Kelly Ingram Park, AG Gaston motel, Negro Baseball league museum, and following the footstep of 1000 of marchers. In the afternoon, we were at Bethel Baptist church, the pulpit of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. Shuttlesworth’s sacrificial work from the late 50’s through the 60’s led the way to finally break the stronghold of Bull Connor and the Birmingham elite to end the grip of segregation. At Bethel, we heard a remarkable, information-packed presentation by the lead historian from the Civil Rights Institute. And before returning to the hotel, we stopped by the site where Martin Luther King was imprisoned and wrote the Letter from the Birmingham Jail. That’s a quick summary of what we did, but it doesn’t capture what we learned, experienced, felt, and were unsettled by. Like the previous days, there was so much stirring in my soul, learning the stories of the worst of humanity coupled with the strength shown by the best of humanity. And while hearing those stories, I was reflecting on this movement in our country to squelch the teaching of history. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote, “History is here to help, but it can’t help us if we cripple it.” And our speaker followed up that quote with these words: “History can teach us what to do and what not to do.” History can’t hurt us. It’s done. It’s happened. It’s like a graveyard, according to Kearns Goodwin. But its an important resource for moving forward in our effort to creating a more justice, equitable community and world. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to a life of humility. I see humility as an openness to recognizing that we don’t understand everything and my perspective is limited. But opening myself up to the stories of others, whether those living now or those who’ve gone before, isn’t a threat to me, but rather a gift to help me better understand myself, others, and our world better. I’m so thankful for this journey. For the 42 traveling companions. For their reflections, questions, kindness, openness, and curiosity. And for all of you who are journeying with us through facebook and your prayers. Looking forward to worship tomorrow at the 16th St. Baptist Church in Birmingham.
Day Two Civil Rights Reflections: Friday April 12
Day 2 Civil Rights Trip 2024!
Civil Rights Trip in Birmingham. It was a long, full, meaningful and profound day! Driving to Birmingham, we drove past the exit to Holly Springs, Mississippi, the birthplace of Ida B Wells, another unsung worker of Civil Rights. She’s another one whose life I need to learn more about. Upon arriving in Birmingham, we went to the Civil Rights Institute, where leaders in the community were sharing the reading of Dr King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Hearing those words, flanked by the statues of MLK and Rev. Shuttlesworth, and across the street from Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th St Baptist Church, his words took on new meaning. This was the hub where 1000’s of protesters and marchers gathered over and over again to march for the same rights as white persons enjoyed. In the 1960’s, marchers organized at 16th St Baptist Church and then marched across the street to Kelly Ingram Park to march. On one day, during the Children’s March, they were met by firehoses and dogs, ordered there by the commissioner of Public Safety, Bull Connor. What a coward he was to order vicious dogs and powerful fire hoses on children. Today, I was struck by the new reality taking place in the park. School children were happily running around, playing ring-a-round the rosy, and enjoying the beautiful day. Like other places or moments of trauma in our lives, those that can be reclaimed for good can help us write a new story and that’s what those children were doing today. We were able to visit the Civil Rights Institute, a place dedicated not only to telling the stories of history, but also inspiring a new generation of activists. And then we were blessed by our hosts at the 16th St Baptist Church, who share the stories of that day in September 1963, where hate went so far that it took the lives of 4 girls excited to be at church and 2 teenage boys who later that afternoon were killed in the mayhem of the day. It took the death of these children to finally spur the nation on to notice what was happening in Birmingham. One of our hosts at 16th St Baptist Church said, “How can you not like somebody you know nothing about or you have never even met?” She reminded us that hate is learned at home. Another way this happens is when its engrained in our social customs, written into our laws, or taught by our leaders. And so it is perceived as being right and even by some, believed to be in line with the teachings of Jesus. But treating anyone as less than a child of God is never in line with the teachings of Jesus. My hope and prayer for this trip is that not only each of us is changed, but that our experience ripples out and impacts others in positive ways. We need to hear these stories, painful as they are, to acknowledge the atrocities of the past and create a different story for everyone moving forward. We ended our day with the celebration of Shabbat, led by Rabbi Rebecca and others from Moses Montefiore Temple. It was a moving, meaningful, and important moment to share together with our group representing various religious backgrounds. May God‘s radical love lead us all.
Day One Civil Rights Reflections: Thursday April 11
Day 1, Civil Rights Trip 2024!
From start to finish, the day went well! Forty-two travelers left from Normal bright and early at 6:00 AM. Our first stop was the Memphis Civil Rights Museum, located next to the Loraine Motel. We were fortunate to have an introduction to the museum by Rabbi Micah, a colleague of Rabbi Rebecca. Over the years, he interacted with many of the Civil Rights Leaders who worked in Memphis, including some who were there when Rev. King was shot. The Civil Rights Museum was as inspiring for me as it always is. Multiple cities, spanning over countless years, were places of unrest, violence, and moral corruption. I found myself shaking my head, over and over, having trouble imaging how human beings can treat each other in such despicable ways. But we have to be taught to hate. We’re not created with a hateful heart. But I hold onto the hope that our faith can be transformative as it gives us the courage and hope to believe that even the hardest of hearts can be changed and transformed by love. We stopped by the “I Am a Man” plaza, honoring the over 1300 sanitation workers in Memphis who were striking for just their basic human and civil rights. Day after day, they marched from Clayborn Temple, to fight for their rights. They just wanted to be treated lIke anyone else would want to be treated. The steady, daily, faithful sacrifice of 1000’s of people, in Memphis and throughout the south is so very inspiring. As one quote I read today said, “I’m marching for my children.“ They understood that their efforts might not change things for them, but they believed that someday things could be different for future generations. We’re off to Birmingham tomorrow. Looking forward to hearing the reading of the “Letter from the Birmingham Jail”, read by community leaders outside of the Civil Rights Institute. Then we’ll tour the Institute and visit the 16th St Baptist Church. May our hearts and souls and minds be changed and transformed in ways that deepen our commitment to the goal of bringing God’s kingdom here on earth for all of God’s children.
Civil Rights Trip Refections with Pastor Kathy
Follow Pastor Kathy on Normal First’s Facebook, Instagram or here on her blog, as she posts updates, pictures, & reflections on the trip every evening from April 11th thru April 19th. Learn more about this social movement from 1954 to 1968 that sought to end legalized racial segregation, discrimination and disenfranchisement. The movement sought to bring constitutional equality to the national level for the African American community. Pastor Kathy will give us an intimate and personal account of how the trip has affected her, and will give us a glimpse into her new discoveries about the Civil Rights Movement.
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