Alabama Odyssey Day 6

Phoebe delivers her speech at Selma Park

Nathan deliver his speech at Selma Park next to the Edmund Pettus Bridge

Katie, alive and well, delivers her speech at Selma Park next to the Edmund Pettus Bridge Edit

Brook delivers his speech at Selma Park next to the Edmund Pettus Bridge Edit

Ben delivers his speech under the Edmund Pettus Bridge

Colin gives his speech at Selma Park next to the Edmund Pettus Bridge Edit

Dante gives his speech at Selma Park next to the Edmund Pettus Bridge Edit

Emma delivers her speech at Selma Park next to the Edmund Pettus Bridge Edit

Zeb gives his speech at Selma Park next to the Edmund Pettus Bridge Edit

Wynona gives her speech again at Selma Park next to the Edmund Pettus Bridge Edit

Edmund Pettus Bridge seen from the Alabama River

Joanne Bland hold court at Richard's Cafe

Walking the streets of Selma with Joanne

We gather at Brown's Chapel

Harper gives her speech in the voice of John Lewis at Brown's Chapel

Gabriel F. brings the voice of Marcus Garvey to life at Brown's Chapel

Joanne gives Katie a little piece of history

HMMS in front of where Joanne grew up

Casey gives her speech at First Baptist Church, the SNCC headquarters during the Selma voter registration effort

Jackie gives her speech at First Baptist Church, the SNCC headquarters during the Selma voter registration effort

HMMS begins their march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge

Talking with Joanne after crossing the bridge

Joanne Bland and Annie Pearl Avery –Sheros of the Movement

Live Oaks Cemetery – the historic white cemetery in Selma

A monument to the Confederacy

A monument to Bedford Forrest, a famous Confederate general and the founder of the KKK

SInging and talking with Annie Pearl Avery

Click to Play "Lay My Burden Down" at the First Baptist Church in Selma

rch

Walking over the Edmund Pettus Bridge, I could feel my stomach tighten.  I still am not sure whether it was from nervousness or just the thought that we were reenacting one of the most important events in the Civil Rights Movement.  Whatever it was it, it was a feeling that I won't ever forget.
- Peter-Owen  

The bricks tread upon by millions.  The gentle arc of the bridge, that, if you think about it, is not gentle at all.  Cresting the apex of the bridge, dreading the thought of seeing the other side.  The stunning realization that even if I threw myself into the path of a truck, I could never experience the pain felt on Bloody Sunday.
- Nate  

Listening to the stories of Joanne Bland and Annie Pearl Avery was unbelievable.  The stories of Bloody Sunday was like a horror story.  Hearing screams in your head anytime you cross a bridge is like repeating a nightmare every night.  The words coming out of her mouth struck me and made me feel like I can make a change in the world.
- Phoebe  

Listening to stories in the wind.  When Joanne told us the stories, the wind spoke with her.  Walking the footprints of John Lewis, Hosea Williams and the marchers of Bloody Sunday with its story so strong and the wind rushing by.
- Gabe F.  

As we were walking on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, I kept asking myself would I have been willing to die or be brutally beaten? My answer was no. I felt a pit of fear build in my stomach, but then I asked if the cause was just. When I examined it again, I realized that yes, it would have been worth it, to die for equality, for justice, to die for other people's hope. I just kept repeating that and wondering if another child on another day many years ago, had those same thoughts and if they came to the same conclusion that I did. I still felt fear, but I understood the motivation that allowed them and us to overcome our fear.
- Paige  

Serene
Mysterious
Spanish moss
Hanging in strips
Tickling the air
Changing the aura
Turning everything
Peaceful
Making depressing
Just beautiful.
- Katie