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On Friday, the group visited the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, across from the 16th Street Baptist Church. I knew it was going to be a powerful experience based on everything we've done this week, but I don't think I was quite prepared for the emotional blow that I would feel during this special trip. To try to explain the details of the exhibits would do it a disservice, but to explain how I felt is a necessity. Walking through the exhibits transported me to another time, quite literally, and with this transportation, I became a part of the movement. I marched, I sang and felt fellowship with those with me. But also, I was hosed down; I was bombed on a Greyhound bus, I was bombarded by racial slurs. And I became furious and deeply upset. Towards the end of the visit, I burst into tears, only having to watch what actually happened. Why did these evil things have to happen to these innocent people? But through these intense emotions, I felt a sense of hope; with pain, came progress. And through the pain that we are experiencing now in our communities, progress with surely follow. I am eternally grateful for this experience, and I know that I will never forget it.
On Friday, the group visited the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, across from the 16th Street Baptist Church. I knew it was going to be a powerful experience based on everything we've done this week, but I don't think I was quite prepared for the emotional blow that I would feel during this special trip. To try to explain the details of the exhibits would do it a disservice, but to explain how I felt is a necessity. Walking through the exhibits transported me to another time, quite literally, and with this transportation, I became a part of the movement. I marched, I sang and felt fellowship with those with me. But also, I was hosed down; I was bombed on a Greyhound bus, I was bombarded by racial slurs. And I became furious and deeply upset. Towards the end of the visit, I burst into tears, only having to watch what actually happened. Why did these evil things have to happen to these innocent people? But through these intense emotions, I felt a sense of hope; with pain, came progress. And through the pain that we are experiencing now in our communities, progress with surely follow. I am eternally grateful for this experience, and I know that I will never forget it.
So powerful, Jesus. Thank you for sharing this experience.
ReplyDeleteWith best regards -- Ms. MacPherson
Jesus, you do a good job conveying the wide range of emotions these experiences can uncover. Thanks -Mr. Scanlan
ReplyDeleteThe trick, Jesus, is to find a healthy way to take what might be a 'negative' emotion and allow that energy to lift us up rather than keep us down. On a historical note, we ought to feel blessed that we are living during times when there has been progress made toward improved race relations -- but we must always be grateful that there are people brave enough to fight for improvement rather that just accept the way things used to be. Their contributions are life-changing.
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