Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

The brochure said to allow about an hour and a half to go through the exhibits.  The museum experience started with a brief video of the history of Birmingham that laid the foundation for the displays in the museum.  The institute had displays of early Birmingham and shared information and visuals of what African American life was like.  Deeper in the museum you are bombarded (effectively)  with visuals and sounds of racist comments, myths believed about Blacks and the hatred and evil that was the "racism of the day." There was the memorable voice of a mother trying to explain to her child "Why?"  It was effective in giving a picture of why Blacks and others joined together to fight to change not only the laws but the ignorance and fear that paralyzed the country.  The Civil Rights Movement was about children, adults, Whites, Blacks, and people of all faiths standing up in the face of death, physical injury and imprisonment for their passionate beliefs.  Exhibits included a view from the Birmingham jail where Martin Luther King wrote his memorable letter, televisions showing the children in Ingram Park being sprayed with water hoses and the burned remains of the bus of the Freedom riders and there was music. Another section concentrated on the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and a video of highlights of the event. A bombed windows from the 16th Street Church and the clothing from one of the 4 young girls killed were thoughtfully displayed.  The winding tour brought us to present day and acts of civil disobedience within the last 20 years.  There were interactive activities for younger museum goers and a display of the  50 year anniversary of the Children's March.  Three hours later we emerged, heads spinning with a strong feeling that we had been a part of history. 

 Farewell to Birmingham.....next stop Selma.