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!