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We stood for over three hours, listening to African musicians, Pete Seeger and other singers as the crowd grew before the speeches. We were then moved by the words of such notable voices as Dick Gregory, who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. and was jailed over 200 times for his non-violent participation in the Movement; Martin Luther King, III; Reverend Jesse Jackson; Coretta Scott King; and of course, Bill Clinton. Though we were among the comparatively few light-skinned attendees in the crowd of thousands, and felt a bit like we were intruding on someone else's celebration, the warmth and acceptance of people who have acheived so much was evident as we marched over the bridge. Like we told the Atlanta news crew who were interviewing participants, we were honored to be able to be a part of this event and glad that we were here in 2000, and not part of the problem in 1965, the year Rob and Susan were both born. We expressed our hope that our children would learn the truth about the mistakes of the past so that they will have a greater respect for all people and be part of the continuing solution for peace and tolerance. |
We
couldn't have planned our visit to Alabama any better if we had tried.
In the middle of studying Civil Rights, including the bus boycott,
sit-ins, freedom walks and "Bloody Sunday", we found out
about the 35th Anniversary Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee from helpful
staff at the Visitor's Info desk at a rest area. The fact that President
Bill Clinton would be speaking and participating in the walk over
the Edmund Pettis Bridge, Sunday, March 5, 2000, seemed to be the
big publicized event, but we were excited to take part in this historically
important remembrance of the Civil Rights Movement.|
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The
Montgomery Bus Boycott (Cornerstones of Freedom Series) |
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The words and melodies of the songs of the Civil Rights were often moving; bringing to mind the struggles that many endured in their quest for justice, and the cruelty and hypocrisy of those who would oppose them. |
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He also spoke of bridges that still need to be crossed. As long as there is economic disparity, hate groups, and unbalanced political representation, we have a bridge to cross. It was a positive speech, showing that we, as a nation, have come a long way from the divisions of slavery and segregation, but are not finished building bridges to unite all our citizens. |
Eyes
on the Prize : America's Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965 |
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Amanda wrote down some of the inscriptions, which also include significant milestones in the Civil Rights Movement: 1 DEC 1955 ROSA PARKS ARRESTED FOR REFUSING TO GIVE UP HER SEAT ON BUS TO A WHITE MAN - MONTGOMERY, AL 1 FEB 1960 BLACK STUDENTS STAGE SIT-IN AT WHITES ONLY LUNCH COUNTER - NC |
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 Faces
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For Younger Readers |
For Older Readers |
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Black
Firsts : 2,000 Years of Extraordinary Achievement
Afraid
of the Dark : What Whites and Blacks Need to Know About Each
Other
Eyes
on the Prize I & II - Boxed Set
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