This has nothing to do with the theme of my blog, but I want to share it here none the less.
A few years ago, i listened to Mr. Bryan Stevenson speak at the Dallas book festival. His book Just Mercy had recently been published- and he talked humbly about his life and tireless work at the organization he founded: Equal Justice Initiative.
He mentioned EJI was working on the creation of a memorial to lynching- to bring attention to this home-grown terrorism inflicted on African Americans after the Civil War. I remember being inspired by his work and moved by his story, and thinking to myself: ‘no way that will happen; not in this country!’
Well, never underestimate a MacArthur genius fellow because it has been built in Montgomery, AL.
I had been wanting to visit Selma for a long time, so with the opening of the memorial and companion museum it was time to make a visit to Alabama.
Words cannot convey the power of this memorial. It’s design is simple; its effect devastating.
The steel monuments that make up much of the memorial are all at the same level…
And as you go through the memorial...
the floor gradually descends…
until you find yourself surrounded by monuments hanging from above. The effect is disturbing, sobering and devastating. The steel is corten steel, it ‘bleeds’ when it gets wet. So the monuments and the memorial itself will actually change over time, and become even more powerful.
And the companion museum is packed with important information that typically isn’t found in our history books. But needs to be.
Bryan Stevenson and EJI understand that to have an honest discussion about issues around race and justice so as to allow us to move forward as a country, instead of whatever it is we are is doing right now, this is where it has to start. With an honest rendering of our history.
Making a trip to Alabama an important inclusion in everyone’s ‘must-visit’ list.
During the depression years, my parents were students at San Jose State and were caught up in a crowd that broke an accused murderer out of jail and eventually lynched him. Although my dad was able to get my mom away from the crowd before the lynching actually happened, just seeing the uncontrollable rage of the participants was profoundly disturing to them both, and they became strong supporters of non-violence throughout the rest of their lives.
My husband and I feel an obligation to visit the lynching museum in Alabama.