Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama

Over spring break I set out to explore the many civil rights landmarks in Alabama. My first stop with the Birmingham Civil Right Institute and 16th Street Baptist Church. 

I have lost count of how many times I have watched Children's March by Teaching Tolerance. But it wasn't until I stood on the steps of 16th Street Baptist Church did I understand the proximity to Kelly Ingram park. I was able to see past the 50 years and imagine the scene of police officers with Bull Connor overseeing everything from his tank. As I reflected on how far we have come, I ended up having a conversation with a homeless man sitting in the park. As he shared his memories of the movement, I couldn't help but realize how far we still have to go to achieve equality in the United States.