THE POWER OF THE CHURCH
By Archer
We are sprinting through the streets of Montgomery. The sweat pouring down my body is close to the feeling of rivers. Finally, in the heavy, humid air, we see the church: Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. We click the crosswalk button over and over so we can make it in time for church. When we enter the building, it is cool and refreshing. But this isn’t just a building. This is a place where Dr. Martin Luther King preached to the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. A place where history was made and a movement started.
Ms. Wanda, who works as a tour guide at the church, approaches us with her amazingly kind vibes and a hug. Then she shows us around the church and asks if we want to sing. She says, “When you leave, you may feel like better people,” she was right; we did. We were all uplifted by her amazing voice and mood.
Then she explains to us the historical significance of this place. This church played a main role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. People gathered to prepare for marches and listen to speakers. We learn how significant churches were in bringing black communities together during the Civil Rights Movement. This theme continues in Selma. The churches become important places for Civil Rights activists to gather and start things like the National Voting Rights Movement. In fact, they are instrumental in blacks being able to vote and to choose officials who represent their interests. These churches show me the critical history of the major and nonmajor Civil Rights Activists. They needed to vote because they could choose people to support them and their rights. Whites didn’t want black people to be able to vote because whites thought they were better than blacks and wanted to be superior. Whites would prevent blacks from voting by sadly threatening, killing, or making voting tests impossible for them. Obviously death would scare them to march but they would be inspired by people like John Brown or Jimmie Lee Jackson, who risked their lives or died for Civil Rights.
During our time in Selma, we visited the Tabernacle Church, Brown Chapel A.M.E. and First Baptist at Selma. These churches made the black community come together during the Civil Rights Movement, and it was easier for them to communicate. The churches were places not owned by whites which meant it could be a private area for them to talk about Civil Rights. Tabernacle church was one of the main places for people to have meetings about it. Although it was a good meeting spot people would be scared to go because of things like threats or violent actions. Doctor Dawson told us that boys from the football team went to the church intimidate and cause trouble to the students but the football coach called them off so they wouldn't hurt the kids. This was during the time kids marched for non-segregated schools.
The Brown Chapel AME Church was another one of Dr.King’s main speaking places. He spoke in front of the big brown lighted cross, which is front and center of the church. Brown Chapel was one of the most important churches of the Civil Rights Movement. Last, First Baptist at Selma was a main place for speeches. First Baptist was such an active place because there were so many ways to escape. An active speaker could just get away from mobs or police by going out of one of the many doors in the church. I have learned that churches were a main source for bringing black communities together and ending segregation.
Ms. Wanda, who works as a tour guide at the church, approaches us with her amazingly kind vibes and a hug. Then she shows us around the church and asks if we want to sing. She says, “When you leave, you may feel like better people,” she was right; we did. We were all uplifted by her amazing voice and mood.
Then she explains to us the historical significance of this place. This church played a main role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. People gathered to prepare for marches and listen to speakers. We learn how significant churches were in bringing black communities together during the Civil Rights Movement. This theme continues in Selma. The churches become important places for Civil Rights activists to gather and start things like the National Voting Rights Movement. In fact, they are instrumental in blacks being able to vote and to choose officials who represent their interests. These churches show me the critical history of the major and nonmajor Civil Rights Activists. They needed to vote because they could choose people to support them and their rights. Whites didn’t want black people to be able to vote because whites thought they were better than blacks and wanted to be superior. Whites would prevent blacks from voting by sadly threatening, killing, or making voting tests impossible for them. Obviously death would scare them to march but they would be inspired by people like John Brown or Jimmie Lee Jackson, who risked their lives or died for Civil Rights.
During our time in Selma, we visited the Tabernacle Church, Brown Chapel A.M.E. and First Baptist at Selma. These churches made the black community come together during the Civil Rights Movement, and it was easier for them to communicate. The churches were places not owned by whites which meant it could be a private area for them to talk about Civil Rights. Tabernacle church was one of the main places for people to have meetings about it. Although it was a good meeting spot people would be scared to go because of things like threats or violent actions. Doctor Dawson told us that boys from the football team went to the church intimidate and cause trouble to the students but the football coach called them off so they wouldn't hurt the kids. This was during the time kids marched for non-segregated schools.
The Brown Chapel AME Church was another one of Dr.King’s main speaking places. He spoke in front of the big brown lighted cross, which is front and center of the church. Brown Chapel was one of the most important churches of the Civil Rights Movement. Last, First Baptist at Selma was a main place for speeches. First Baptist was such an active place because there were so many ways to escape. An active speaker could just get away from mobs or police by going out of one of the many doors in the church. I have learned that churches were a main source for bringing black communities together and ending segregation.