Day 5 & 6: STAXX records and The National Civil Rights Museum

" It is amazing to me that humans contain both the power to hurt so badly and to heal so beautifully."

~Multicultural Scholar 2012

     Day five gave the scholars an opportunity to regroup emotionally and delve into the music that was not only the soundtrack of the time, but also a shining example and a veritable herald of a time when artists and musicians of all cultures would be able to play and collaborate with one another.  STAXX records was certainly a place that encouraged the best behaviors in race relations and artistry.  

     Day six was again a day that required quiet reflexion upon the injuries caused by racist violence.  Our experience at the National Civil Rights Museum (which is house at the site of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination) gave the scholars the opportunity to stand in the footsteps of time.  We were able to feel the depth of a place where so much sadness had taken place that has been transformed into a place of education, healing and transformation.




 One cannot help but be transformed by first standing where Dr. King had stood and then crossing the street and standing in the place were his assassin stood.  One is hurt, humbled and healed all in the course of a days tour.  One would hope that the healing is a beautiful one.

Day 4: The Voting Rights Institute and the Slavery Museum of Selma, Alabama

Edmund Pettus Bridge (photo by Savannah Reid, Multicultural Scholars 2012)

(Suzzanne Lacey (l.) Joanne Bland (r.)

posting by Ieisha McIntyre

The Voting Right Museum and Institute was the site of the fourth day of our civil rights journey.  And, how important for our young women to visit the sight where so many marched peacefully for our right to express our opinions and our duty as citizens of the United States of America.  We were able to tour the museum and hear from Joanne Bland (co-founder of the Museum, and participant in "Bloody Sunday" and the Selma-to-Montgomery march of 1965.  Later that summer, Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson signed The Voting Rights Act of 1965The actions of the marchers that summer of 1965, changed the lives of every American from that time on.  I know that it changed my life.  Not only because I have the right to vote anywhere my wondering soul chooses to live in these United States, but also because, on smoldering humid Alabama afternoon, I was able to touch history through the warm and generous hug of Joanne Bland.  

"Cheering." Selma, Alabama, March 1965.

KING SPEAKS IN SELMA

Martin Luther King Jr. speaks to the crowd in Selma, Alabama, after the first attempt at the march was aborted on March 9, 1965.

Courtesy of Library of Congress

.

"Coca Cola Sign." Selma, Alabama, summer 1966.

 

 

"Nuns Singing in Tent." Vigil singing, inside temporary shelter at the "Berlin Wall," Selma, Alabama, March 1965.

"Deputy Lineup." Alabama Sheriff's deputies block progress of marchers, Selma, Alabama, March 1965

Image source: http://www.crmvet.org/images/pphillip.htm

                                                            

Day 3: Rosa Parks, Southern Poverty Law, and Dr. King's Home

posting by: Ieisha McIntyre

Day three of our journey included a visit to Montgomery, Alabama's Rosa Parks Museum. Where we learned about the struggle for human dignity that was waged at first by a determined few of the Montgomery Improvement Association and then grew into a battle for civil rights that lasted a total of 381 days and included the participation of the entire black community of Montgomery, Alabama.  

[The National City Lines bus, No. 2857, on which Rosa Parks was riding before she was arrested (a GM "old-look" transit bus, serial number 1132), is now a museum exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum.]

After lunch, we ventured over to the Southern Poverty Law center.  There we were warmly greeted and invited into the center where we witnessed the wall of martyrs.  Those who have died in the struggle to obtain human rights and/or those who had had their human rights stripped away from them on the basis of their race, religion, ethnicity, or perceived sexual orientation.  

While in the Southern Poverty Law Center we viewed a moving film which detailed the efforts and accomplishments made in the struggle for Human Rights and took the opportunity view the Wall of Tolerance and to sign the pledge that states:

By placing my name on the Wall of Tolerance, I pledge to take a stand against hate, injustice and intolerance. I will work in my daily life for justice, equality and human rights - the ideals for which the Civil Rights martyrs died.

(If you click the link for the wall of tolerance, you will see an example of the wall. For those of us who signed the pledge, our names will appear there for others to see as they visit.  If you get an opportunity to do so, you will get a chance to see our names appear on that wall.)

If you would like to know about those in your community working for justice and you would like to Stand strong against hate, then click the link.  If you would like to learn more about hate groups in your area, what they believe, and what they are doing in your area then check out The Hate Map.

Our final visit of the day was to the home of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that he shared with his young wife Coretta Scott King while he was pastor of the Dexter Ave. Baptist Church  our tour was led by a lovely and vibrant woman, Mrs. Foley, a retired teacher and a former member of Mrs. King's young matrons club.  Mrs. Foley was a frequent attendee of Mrs. King young matron's teas. The parsonage is not longer in use as such, but the house still feels like a home with all the warmth, love, and comfort for which one might hope.  It was certainly a personal highlight for me on our pilgrimage.



Come back soon for Day 4: The Voting Rights Institute and the Slavery Museum of Selma, Alabama.

Day Two: The 16th Street Baptist Church: "Where Jesus in the main attraction"

Day Two of Museum Without Wall's 2012 Multicultural Scholar's tour.
posting by Ieisha McIntyre
We went to Sunday morning service at The 16th Street Baptist Church!

(Four of our Multicultural Scholars walking up the steps of The 16th Street Baptists Church)

The center of the Children's March, the epicenter of the actions that lit the flame under the American media and population, and the place where four little girls lost their lives to the blast of a terrorist bomb fueled by racism.  The location of the Mass Meetings that shaped the path of our nation and an entire people.  Last night we viewed and shared thoughts about Spike Lee's documentary, "Four Little Girls".  (Below is a clip from an interview of Spike Lee and one of the girls father's.)

Although the presiding reverend, Rev. Arthur Price, Jr., was not available this past Sunday, we had a wonderfully passionate and inspiring message from Dr. Q.E. Hammonds from Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

After the service we took an opportunity to view the memorial present in the church, take pictures and ask questions of the church members, who were kind and welcoming. I can't wait to return.

We walked across and had lunch in Kelly Ingram park.  The very same park that is present in the films and photographs that have circled the globe regarding the children's march.  Photos of firemen with hoses and police officers with dogs, and children grasping light poles while being non-violent.  Today, it is a monument to their actions and the actions of others who worked for justice.  Today there is a fountain for each little girl murdered that cools visiters on hot days and provides a place for quiet contemplation. Today, one can walk the park in peace and learn of the people and actions that took place to bring about freedom and desegregation.

Our first few days of the tour have included the call to passion from our speakers.  BE PASSIONATE, ABOUT LIFE, ABOUT JUSTICE.  PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ A POEM WRITTEN BY ONE OF OUR OUTSTANDING MULTICULTURAL SCHOLARS: MARIAH WEBB:

Passion

by Mariah Webb

Passion

A 7 letter word

7 being my favorite number

After 5 of course

And I like 17 too

I like them, because they’re odd

No matter how hard you try, you can’t divide them evenly

Without splitting one in half

And with humans, that’s an option you don’t have

You’d think I’d hate odd numbers

Being 1 of 3

2 always to gang up against me

But at this point I can see that it has only made me stronger

Bullies have a way of doing that

But – we were talking about passion

Passion

Starting with a P

Reminding me of that thanksgiving 

I became involved in a game where one was only allowed

To use words beginning with P

Difficult? Yes. 

But I was determined to win

The bragging rights

Perseverance

Which I see as passion and resilience at the same time

Resilience being one of my favorite words

That thing the Freedom Riders had

Ending in E, the letter which makes me see the word

Everyone

Everyone being anyone who ever existed

All the people I’ve ever known

And the ones I never have nor will

All the ones I wish I’d had the opportunity to meet

And the ones I wish never existed 

The good and the bad

Past, present, and future

If you aren’t seeing us all as one

Then you need to adjust your perspective

And start asking the tough questions

My tough question is 

Why John 11:35?

I think the answer comes in layers

That only experience will unearth

But – we were talking about passion

Day 3 & 4 postings will be coming soon!  Keep Following!

The Beginning of our Journey

posting by Ieisha McIntyre

Welcome to the blog of the Multicultural Scholars program of Museum Without Walls 2012. We have arrived in Nashville, Tennessee.  We are travel weary and a bit disoriented, but eager to learn of the victories and struggles that took place during The Civil Rights movement in America.  In particular, we anxiously await learning of that time in American history from those who lived through it and participated in the life changing experiences that carved out a place for our multicultural group to be able to hear the lessons of the past.

Since, our group is an all female group we have an opportunity to place a more in depth focus on the roles that women played in maintaining the focus and drive of the moment.  Women who are known and unknown.  In the postings to come you will perhaps read more about Diane Nash, Ella Baker, and Fannie Lou Hammer than you have ever heard before, perhaps not.

Today, (Aug. 11, 2012) After having watched a very well done documentary of the Freedom Riders from PBS.org last night, we spent a wonderfully heartwarming, inspiring, and enlightening time chatting with and listening to the honorable, Mr. Ernest "Rip" Patton, Jr.  Mr. Patton was a Freedom Rider who sacrificed his youth, physical safety, and college education in the pursuit of justice for all American people.  And he took time to speak with our little group.  Such a true honor.

(back row L-R): Analea Brauburger, Morgan Paige, Mariah Webb, Mr. Ernest "Rip"Patton, Jr. (Freedom Rider), Suzzanne Lacey (Museum Without Walls Director), Ieisha McIntyre, (front row, L-R) Nicole Czubin, Sara Louie, Alexi Odegard, Joanna Baxter, Maiya Loucks, Savanna Reid.



 Keep an eye out for more postings and photos!

When we got to see and walk into the jail cell, I kept imagining how Joanne [Bland] described being in jail. The same jail cell with about 14 other people who are being beaten and abused. No matress, and no plumbing to make the toilet flush.  It seems like a horrible way to live whether it would be overnight or multiple days or even months like many people chose to do instead of give in to segregation.  -Joanna Baxter

Tomorrow: Birmingham, Alabama:  The 16th Street Baptist Church and The Civil Rights Institute!