An Emotional Journey in Montgomery

I wake this morning eager to travel downtown to learn more about the Civil Rights history of Alabama. As I approach the Rosa Parks Museum, I find myself standing at the exact spot where Rosa Park was arrested for refusing to give her bus seat to a white man. Along the outside of the museum, I count ten 36-inch circular plaques depicting her arrest and the events which took place following her arrest. Rosa Parks’ actions resulted in a 381-day bus boycott. The impact on the city of Mongomery was effective as over 70-percent of the bus patrons were black at the time. Rosa Parks’ bold action changed the course of history as the Supreme Court ruled bus segregation illegal in 1956.

A couple blocks away are two additional sites which were highly recommended to me by the staff at the museum - National Memorial for Peace and Justice and The Legacy Museum. To my surprise, the entrance cost for both, including a shuttle ride, is five dollars. Upon paying, I smile, commenting to the attendant, "It is really nice that everyone, no matter their income, can attend this museum." She smiles back and replies, "That is the intent." I ride the shuttle several blocks to arrive at the National Memorial. There are several groups of elementary age school children in the front actively participating in conversations with their tour guide. Along the sidewalk are several plaques educating the reader about the complete history of American slavery. As you follow the path uphill a bit, you enter an outdoor arena with 805 hanging steel rectangles.

Each rectangular hanging carries the specific county and the names of black individuals who were hanged in that county. I can feel the tightness in my stomach as I weave between each memorial. Rows and rows. Levels and levels. Over 4,000 names are listed.

To close this emotional experience, I spend a couple of hours in the Legacy Museum. The museum is located near the train station where thousands of black people were trafficked into slavery. Inside are multiple rooms of photos, sculptures and well-done short videos. One of the exhibits I will always remember is the 800 jars holding the actual soil from the locations of the lynchings. ​

I pour my emotional, tired being into my car, desiring to be in my trailer sipping on a hot cup of java. As I leave Montgomery, I find the energy to stop one last time to capture this entitled, 'A Mighty Walk' depicting the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Before I leave, I spend a few quiet moments reflecting on the rich, much untaught history I learned by the places I have visited in the recent days.