Beginning with BBQ

Breakfast of champions!  Yes Siree!  As I walk into Dreamland BBQ, my stomach comes alive with a searing growl so loud, overpowering the blaring music from the old jukebox in the corner.  Dreamland BBQ carries a delicious reputation of being "the best BBQ of the east".  The cashier asks me if I would like anything else with the ribs.  I smile, "Nope just the ribs, Mam!"  I begin ripping off huge chunks of pork smothered in BBQ sauce with my teeth.  I end this savage eating by sucking on the bones being sure to get every last drop of sauce.  Belly full and an above satisfaction smile on my face I am ready to take on the day.

I arrive in city of Anniston to better understand the Freedom Riders Movement.  I walk over to a beautifully painted mural on the brick wall of the bus depot.   On Mother's Day of 1961, a group of black and white college students arrive at this bus depot.  This group was known as the "Freedom Riders.  They wanted to end the separation of blacks and whites riding the same interstate bus by peacefully traveling the highways together.  As the bus arrives at the Anniston station, an angry mob began throwing rocks breaking the windows.  Before the public bus could pull back onto the highway several tires were slashed.  

Six miles down the road the bus pulls over into this field with flattened tires from the slashings.  The following mob arrives within seconds. The bus catches fire from a flinging gas rag thrown from someone.  The college students tried to flee the burning bus.  Some of them were injured being attacked by the several from the mob.  In 2017, President Obama declared this location to be a National Monument so this incident will never be forgotten.

Driving back to Birmingham, I feel at peace.  A strange feeling to experience after the last two days of learning more about this part of our troubled history.  I realize this peace exists knowing the murals, monuments and parks will educate future generations about the events during the Civil Rights Movement in America.  Even the most difficult parts of our history need to be remembered and taught.