Two days of churches

June 11th, 2014

It have been two full days of visits to many of the churches used as meeting sites and gathering places.  The various speakers have impressed upon us all to have a loving and forgiving heart.  The reality of the whole movement is horrifying.  The fact that those where were beaten and suppress can encourage us to have a forgiving and loving heart towards all is inspiring.

From 2014 trip

June 11th, 2014

It’s Sheryl, and by 10am today (on the 4th day of this 10 day trip) I think I may have found my purpose for this trip – I mean, there are many purposes for this trip. But this was my first A-HA moment. We are on our way today to Selma, AL, where some of the major plans, struggles, horrors and victories for black voter’s rights took place…
Blacks couldn’t vote.
It was their constitutional right to vote, but the state wouldn’t grant them permission (their state could deny their application to vote). The whites made it virtually impossible to vote. See this picture (above) of a sample voting questionnaire. Good luck if you can answer the first 3 correctly…. even today (and I’m not kidding in today’s society)… But question 4? Really? It was impossible. Blacks could not vote. And what they went through for their civil right and then their freedom to do so was not only tremendous but torturous.

My A-HA moment, and my embarrassment, is that I don’t vote. I’m registered to vote. I’m free to vote. But I’m too lazy to do it. I suck. I’m one of those who vote every 4 years in the presidential elections. Sometimes every-other year for a new governor. But not as often as I’m entitled to by my constitutional right. Why? Usually because I’m lazy.
Well, no more. Too many fought and DIED for me to have this right. I don’t care if I’m white and I’ve always had this right (come to think of it… women didn’t always have this right, either). It’s my civic duty. I have a daughter who will turn 18 this summer, as will many of her friends. It’s so important that every one of those young adults register to vote as soon as they turn 18. And not only them. Anyone I know that hasn’t registered to vote – I don’t care their age or their political views – MUST register to vote and then MUST execute that right. No more excuses.

If I get nothing more through my thick skull this week from this trip, it’s the realization that I have a duty that I owe so many before me that I can no longer just toss to the side anymore. I must vote. Too many sacrificed their lives for this simple act of justice and freedom.

From 2014 trip

June 11th, 2014

Sheryl on day 3 (June 9)…Boy it’s hot down south! Thank you to the inventor of air conditioning on days like this. But today as I’ve walked into historic churches only to see enormous fans that were used to cool their congregations (I wonder if they really worked or it they just blew the hot air around); to see video footage and pictures of women fanning themselves with little hand-held fans; I need to remember that something as simple as air conditioning is a luxury that I have always had…. either because my family was fortunate enough to have it or simple because its a privilege we ” white people” never had to suffer without.

Ouch!

We did spend another day in and out of the air conditioning…. on and off of the bus. And speaking of the bus, we learned a lot today about the bus protests/boycotts – what Mrs. Rosa Parks did (or didn’t do). I always heard her story, but today I really ‘heard’ her story. I have a super-distant memory of Mrs. Parks visiting my elementary school in Pennsylvania. I think I may have been in 2nd or 3rd grade. I remember her being in my classroom and all I remember is that she was the famous black lady from the bus. Even though she was real and in person then (back in the late-70s), she’s more real to me now. Although it’s been, like, 38 years since 2nd or 3rd grade, I’m glad I’m finally learning about her legacy. As they say… Better late than never, right?

From 2014 trip

June 10th, 2014

Powerful, encouraging and disgraceful are the words that come to mind when I think about the bombing of the church in Birmingham Alabama. This reminds me of acts that happens in foreign countries today and we really don’t think much of it. We, as Black Americans, should learn our history and respect the struggle of the people that made desegregation and freedom for all Americans possible. “If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.” Martin Luther King Jr,
My favored quote.

Percell

Day 2 of the tour

June 10th, 2014
The kindness of the staff at the Drury Inn & Suites was with southern style. Smiles and polite service was rendered genuinely. We boarded the bus as the rain lightly sprinkled the bus. The smiles of  29 other people greeted me as I walked to my seat in the back of the bus. Here there was no colored or white section dividing the bus. In the back of the bus. On this bus I sit across from a white gentlemen and a white woman in front of him. Before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat this trip would not be possible. The Civil Rights movement began with her act of dignity on a bus in 1955.
Later came the freedom riders of college students who desired to change the systems of injustice together. The mixed group of races on the bus with me made me reflect this morning on the way they rode together to the states we travel through on this trip. Yet, today I ride with no thought of being, bombed, beaten or criticized for my reason for getting on this bus. Though my journey is different for me I desire to impart the same truths to the world that equality is still important and change is still needed in our world and social structures.
Today since we would not be in a church listening to a sermon or fellowship ing with our brethren we listened to one of Dr. Martin Luther King’s sermons. Then we arrived a at a place that seemed familiar to me. It was the Martin Luther King Visitor Center which I visited as a high school student around the age of 17 while attending a family reunion in Atlanta, Georgia. Back then my eyes were not as open and aware of the injustices in our country and all that had gone on in the south. This time my eyes, heart and mind was more aware of the significance of what I was viewing and why it is such a significant place. In my mind the fact that it is and was a free tour amazed me but it fit with the reality of Kings dream of access to equality. This allows anyone who desires to educate their child or themselves about the issues that faced our community and world could see how a peaceful movement about change. How a man who had a dream pursed it and others who desired the same reality joined in the fight against injustice.
We heard a historian speak to us about the movement in Albany and Burmingham.
We also had one of the great women of the movement speak to us Mrs. Juanita Abernathy the wife of Mr. Ralph Abernathy. Her feet pounded the pavement for our rights. Her voice spoke the truths of our history. Things that are not currently recorded in our text books. Her rich heritage and ability to tell a story was evident with every word. She is not a very tall woman in stature but in heart, mind and soul she is very dynamic and bold. She had a way of letting you know she is somebody and instill in you the reality that you are too. Her life is an example that behind every strong man is an even stronger woman.
We do not need to wait for a leader we each need to pursue change in our sphere of influence. In life will you be an influencer or just allow life to chart it’s course? Each day we have choices, decisions and thoughts that have the ability to shape a new day. Will we pursue those changes? Will we dialogue and challenge the state of our present situation or sit back as if we have arrived at the promise land? If you think this is the promise land then it is my hope that your eyes will be open to our present days injustices?

June 9th, 2014

Day two was inspiring.  First spending time at the King Center in Atlanta.  the afternoon was full of speakers including first hand accounts by Juanita Abernathy.  Juanita made an impact on the whole group, encouraging us all to tell the stories to our children so that we never repeat the mistakes of the past.

June 9th, 2014

Day 1: June 7th Returning to the Roots of Civil Rights Tour

A Day of films and two stops in North Carolina

As I boarded the bus this morning I was unsure what I might find. I found many different people from various ethnicities. I reluctantly sat in the back of the bus.
While on the bus on our way to Greensboro, NC in the film we were watching a documentary and when the President Lyndon Johnson convened a evening meeting of the congress and said, “we will overcome.” The Voting Rights Act of 1965 gave Blacks the right to vote without disfranchisement. It struck a cord in me as the film then took us back to the Edmund Pettis bridge in Selma where they were able to cross the bridge where they were once gassed and beaten. My eyes began to well up with tears. That walk was for me and many other generations. There was a 14 year old girl on the march with her 9 year old sister. The first time across the bridge the 14 year old was beat with a billy club and gassed. The second march she had 7 stitches over her eye and 20 plus stitches in the back of her head. She desired to walk to show what they had done to her during the first march.
The film was full of freedom songs and gave me a deeper understanding for the songs I sang in the church as a child and young adult. I connect with music and I am very thankful for how it focused and united people through this battle for Civil Rights.
The documentary film, We Shall not be moved:
I found myself, upset and disgusted by some of the practices that were being done to disenfranchise African Americans from voting.There was a test for blacks in order for blacks to register to vote there were many outrageous and down right ridiculous things that were asked on this test. One of them was to guess the number of Jelly beans in a jar in order to vote in Selma. I have done many things like this during youth group events for those attending to win prizes. Maybe you have too – could you imagine this being part of an application for a right that should already be yours? To then realize no matter how close you were you would still be denied the right to vote. Leaving to voting post to return to see all the signs that separated you from so many other rights that were told to you as separate but equal. There was also a need to recite part of the Congressional statements. Things that would not be known to a community. There was even a poll tax. What is a poll tax? I am glad you asked, many Southern states enacted poll tax laws as a means of restricting eligible voters; such laws often included a grandfather clause, which allowed any adult male whose father or grandfather had voted in a specific year prior to the abolition of slavery to vote without paying the tax. This excluded African Americans (Blacks), Native Americans and some poor whites.
The second march included people from all over the nation and country. The night that the events happening in Selma there was a movie on the TV  showing Normenberg and in the middle of it they showed what first happened on the Edmund Pettis bridge. This is significant because many people would have been watching their television and it gave the movement a larger audience that could not turn their face from the ruthless acts of violence done on that day of the first march known as “Bloody Sunday”. This television coverage brought others to Selma with a desire to march because of what they saw. Today does what you see on television move you to action? Does what you see place a since of responsibility for you to bring change to the world? Have we become desensitized to the injustices in our country? Is the news showing both sides of issues? I question what is considered news today and the interesting ways issues are portrayed.
Third film
Four A&T graduates changed the world through an effort to seek manhood and be seen as men. They did not seek it with guns or violence but with a sit in at Woolworth’s lunch counter. This led to several other places doing sit ins too. One of the men David Blair stayed in the area after college and was unable to get a good job because of the sit in. Yet, he stayed to take care of his parents. He was wiling to endure the heat of his choice and be proud that he stood for what was right and live with the consequences of his choice. Today what are you willing to stand for regardless of the consequences?
” If we stand for nothing we will fall for anything.” ( origin of quote debated)
NC A&T University
The four young men who sat in at Woolworth’s on February 1st, 1960 now have a memorial at North Carolina A & T that was erected in 2010.  We stopped to see the memorial before heading to the location where the old Woolworth store stood. At the location now sits the International Civil Rights Center & Museum. When Woolworth’s went out of business in 1994 the city was going to tare down the store.  I had a hard time believing that a city would tare down this building when it should be deemed a historical site. Then I began to think why is it historical? In some peoples minds because of the nature of what made it historical might not deem it as a building they want to stand. Nonetheless, today I am thankful for those who stood against demolishing the building  to preserve the history of what happened threw four young men engaging their hearts and minds in what was happening around them. Their desire to see change for themselves began to effect a state and then spread to other southern states. To think the sit-ins started with four young men who were freshmen or first year students at North Carolina A & T is inspiring and thought provoking. This was an effort that grew from things they lived and were taught in their homes and classrooms alike. Students also dialogued about these issues often. Today what are students dialoging about? How are we encouraging this generation of college students to stand against personal injustices and issues that face our communities? Are we just teaching disciplines or are we allowing the reality of life to interface with the lives of students to produce true education and learning?
A call to go!
If you are ever in North Carolina or planning a trip I encourage you to go to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. It cost 10.00 dollars for adults, but it is well worth the ticket cost. To look into the opportunity go to www.sitinmovement.org. Our tour guide was dynamic and really made the tour an experience. She herself went to the Wolworth’s store as a child and it made the tour very rich and vibrant. It made the experience come to life. She even shared the things her mom would tell them prior to going into the store. This tour helped me to get a deeper understanding of what life truly was like before the signs were removed from stores and other establishments. Although at times I still see in the eyes of those who watch me in their stores still place a sign on me that are not fitting with the content of my character because of the color of my skin. Have you ever been followed in a store? Have you ever been overlooked in a store for another patron with a more fair complexion? As I see it -there may no longer be a sign but there are still issues and old thoughts guiding some practices.  Please, educate yourself so the past is not repeated.

June 9th, 2014
Sheryl for day 2 After a sound sleep in what I remember as being a very nice hotel last night, we were off at the crack of 8am. We headed into Atlanta this morning to the birthplace, the preaching place and the resting place of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Although time wouldn’t allow us to take the tour of the inside of his childhood home, we did go to it and were able to enter/tour the first church he preached at (along with his father), the Ebenezer Baptist Church. That was a very neat experience to see the pulpit and picture where MLK praised God. And in between both of these landmarks is his and his wife’s final resting place… A tomb in the middle of a wading pool.  Very peaceful, very simple. And on his tomb are inscribed his famous words, “Free at last. Free at last. Thank God Almighty. I am free at last.”
We also had the privilege today to listen to the author Glenn Eskew who titled ‘But to Birmingham’, discussed the movement in Birmingham of the time and also compared and contrasted the differences of Birmingham, AL to Atlanta and even Pittsburgh, PA.
And to our delight we met Juanita Abernathy, Civil Rights activist and wife of Rev. Ralph Abernathy. She is one of the few still living today from the days of the C.R. Movement and is just as passionate now talking about and supporting rights as she was in her youth. Meeting Mrs. Abernathy gave all of us on the trip a taste of the thrill we are in for to meet all the amazing historians and legacies of the era this week. I can’t wait!
I also watched the movie “The Butler” today. WOW!  Probably better that I waited until now to watch that movie. There’s a lot I wouldn’t have appreciated in it even 3 days ago. I cried…

Civil rights tour

June 9th, 2014

It’s amazing how black people in the south stood and fought together for civil rights as brothers and sisters with a bond so strong they were willing to die for the cause. That kind of strength and courage is hard to find in this day and age.

Emmett Till

June 9th, 2014

I had never heard of Emmett Till.  But he was my last thought before falling asleep last night ~  Emmett was a 14 year old boy visiting relatives in the Mississippi Delta.  Accused of being flirtatious with a white shopkeeper, he was beaten and shot.  Then his body was dropped in the Tallahatchie River with a gin-mill fan barbwired around his neck.  His picture is seared in my mind.  I heard many stories of injustice on our first day of the tour.  Horrible stories, but the basketball appearance of this boy’s corpse is probably seared into my mind.  There are no words to capture this kind of horror.  The story can be found here:

http://newsone.com/2032853/emmett-till-story/

A quote from MLK:  “We will never have peace in the world until men everywhere recognize that ends are not cut off from means, because the means represent the ideal in the making, and the end in process.  Ultimately you can’t reach good ends through evil means, because the means represent the seed and the end represents the tree.”