I had never imagined being in Birmingham, Alabama for Spring Break. But here we are... the US History teacher in me was really interested in its Civil Rights history. This is centered around the 16th Street Baptist Church and an adjoining plaza featuring civil rights sculptures and information plaques. I learned more about the Children's Crusade, the Marches to City Hall protesting Jim Crow laws which were especially rigid and detailed in Birmingham, Project C - to confront discrimination by the police using acts of non-violence. I was moved by statues honoring the four girls killed at the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, showing how brutal the water cannons used by Police Chief Bull Connor were, of children being jailed, and of the dogs unleashed on protesters. Despite the protesters consistent use of non-violence, they were met with violent force by the police. MLK was also wrote his famous "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" here in 1963. In it, he responds to the criticism of white clergy for participating in nonviolent protests against segregation, and his response articulates several key quotes and tenants.
Quotes from King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail:
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