I was 10 years old when this protest took place years ago.

I was too busy growing up but not oblivious to the pictures posted up around my family home of Dr Martin Luther King. I heard my parents discussing all that was going on in the world at that time. I heard the news reports about Bloody Sunday all the bombings and the three young men being killed in their car, peaceful demonstrators supporting a valuable cause for right. Rev. Al Sharpton announced on his show Politics Nation that he and the National Action Network would be re-enacting this historical march. I knew I had to be there. All I could hear in my head was Oleta Adams song I dont care how you get here, but get here if you can. I needed to get to Selma, feel the full impact of what took place all those years ago, the sacrifices freedom fighters undertook on our behalf. So thought, so said, so done! I clambered into a car with relatives and friends, likeminded people who shared my sentiments. We headed to Selma and Montgomery Alabama to join all the other foot soldiers in this ever so present cause, to halt the attempts of others to undo what is just in our society. Upon arriving I could feel the electricity in the air. People had arrived in numbers from all over the nation in planes, trains, buses and automobiles for this historical event. The chorus of a song laid heavily in the air Aint gonna let nobody turn me round, Turn me round, turn me round. Aint gonna let nobody, turn me round. Im gonna keep on a-walkin; keep on a-talkin, Marching into freedom land. We walked over the The Edmund Pettus Bridge to the base of the scene of Bloody Sunday where the new National Voting Rights Museum and Institute is now located. The new museum founded by Mrs. Rose Sanders opened in 1993 and boasts a rich array of memories steeped in history. When the museum opened, it was lacking in photos that depicted the famous march in 1965. The foundation placed an ad in a Montgomery newspaper. It just so happened that Thomas Giles, a photographer who covered the march, was in Montgomery and read the article. He was able to facilitate the release of the photos from all the state troopers surveillance cameras that covered the entire march from Selma to Montgomery and present them to the museum. I was blown away with that story and the tour had just begun. All around the museum are casts of footprints on the walls from the original foot soldiers. Were still collecting foot prints even today said Sam Walker, National Consultant for the museum. He explained that only 300 foot soldiers were allowed to march from Selma to Montgomery back in 1965 on Highway 80. This was for safety reasons because it was only a two lane highway and people living in the area had to travel to and fro. Too big of a crowd would be hard to manage. He told of how Dr. King had sent his lieutenants out ahead of time to secure campsites along the route where the foot soldiers could rest at night. The journey took five days to reach its destination, March 21-25. However by the time they reached the State Capitol building in Montgomery, the crowd boasted 25,000 people ready to support and rally. Mari Foster was one the 300 foot soldiers that marched the entire route. Theres a vest hanging in a

case covered in names because Mari had the idea to have everyone involved to sign their names on it. The vest is impressive with a whos who of names from many freedom fighters to include Harry Belafonte and President Clinton amongst them. The vest was and still today collecting signatures as foot soldiers return. I was deeply moved as it was so poignant to be viewing the exhibitions with someone who could narrate in real time. Sam was an original foot soldier from 1965 and one whom as a child also picketed at the courthouse in Selma for the movement resulting in two visits to jail by the time he was eleven years old. As we stood in front of the replica of a small jail cell with one lonely pail of water and a toilet to accommodate the over crowded cell of freedom fighters young and old. He spoke of how the kids held the picket line during their parents work day. The fight for our rights could not and would not rest, he said. The cause had to stay present in the face of opposition. Little boys and little girls in the picket line were separated in groups and hauled off by the police only to be tossed in these despicable cells until their parents could secure their release. There are many other wonderful exhibits to explore and ponder over for hours; so much history to absorb. There is a gift shop where books and other memorabilia can be purchased. As I turned out of the corridor to leave I was pleased to enter the present and our future, President Barack Obamas Gallery. There were many photos and newspaper articles about his accomplishments thus far and his involvement in and for Civil Rights. I was humbled, tearful and proud as I left the museum in Selma and headed towards Montgomery where the final march and rally would take place. I was coming back from dinner ready to get a good nights rest, be prepared for the final day of the Freedom march on March 9th, 2012 led by Rev. Al Sharpton and The National Action Network. Just when I thought I had heard all I was going to hear and learn, I was drawn to two lovely young ladies sitting on the bench outside of the hotel. We struck up a conversation. I asked, why are you here? Desiree Robertson, 8 years old from Selma and a student of Tabernacle Appraisal Christian Education Academy had been chosen as one of the leaders of the march carrying a flag alongside Rev. Al Sharpton. I feel great about what Im doing because we are marching for freedom, the right to vote and justice for all. Tamika Harris, a member of the Foot Soldiers of Birmingham also chosen to lead spoke of how proud she was to be active in the organization that keeps the history of Dr. Martin Luther King and other foot soldiers who were leaders of the Civil Rights Movement alive. She told of how their organization still to date provides community service for whomever is in need from babies to adults. Tamika and Desiree shared their story of having attended the 2012 Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles as cast members part of the documentary, The Barber of Birmingham/ A Foot Soldier for Justice. The documentary, based on the life of James Armstrong, an ordinary man accomplishing extraordinary deeds was nominated for an academy award. In Tamikas words you may look like a rag but you dont have to wring

that rag out. In other words, no matter what station your life finds you in, there is always good that can be done for others. You cant judge a book by its cover. The march ended on March 9th 2012 culminating on the steps of the State Capitol building in Montgomery. Dignitaries from every sector, Martin Luther King III, Rev Jesse Jackson amongst others were present speaking to and on behalf of the people. Union leaders, women rights activists, leaders from the Mexican community speaking about the injustices with the lack of immigration reform, celebrities such as R& B artist Tyrese Gibson calling upon his colleagues to recognize that theyve done well because our Civil Right leaders along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr fought and paved the way for equal rights and opportunities for all. Do your part to support this cause, give something back, get involved, we cant turn back now, he said. There were a sea of people in attendance further than the eye could see. I stood side by side with others who shared their personal stories of their involvement those 47 years ago. Chills ran up and down my spine as I joined in the chorus of voices that permeated the air, Aint gonna let nobody turn me round, Turn me round, turn me round. Aint gonna let nobody, turn me round. Im gonna keep on a-walkin;, keep on a-talkin, March-

ing into freedom land. Oleta, I got there! I close with excerpts from President Lyndon Baines Johnsons Address to a Joint Session of Congress on Voting Legislation March 15, 1965 There is no cause for pride in what has happened in Selma. There is no cause for self-satisfaction in the long denial of equal rights of millions of Americans. But there is cause for hope and for faith in our democracy in what is happening here tonight. For the cries of pain and the hymns and protests of oppressed people have summoned into convocation all the majesty of this great government -- the government of the greatest nation on earth. Our mission is at once the oldest and the most basic of this country: to right wrong, to do justice, to serve man. In our time we have come to live with the moments of great crisis. Our lives have been marked with debate about great issues -- issues of war and peace, issues of prosperity and depression. But rarely in any time does an issue lay bare the secret heart of America itself. Rarely are we met with a challenge, not to our growth or abundance, or our welfare or our security, but rather to the values, and the purposes, and the meaning of our beloved nation. We Shall Overcome. Photos in this section courtesy of Linda Smith.

Aspirations

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