Last week, several of our Beloveds traveled to Selma along with members of First Congregational Church, Pilgrim Church and Covenant UCC to commemorate the Bloody Sunday Bridge Crossing. Here are some of our reflections.
“As a white women, being in Selma was like reconnecting a bridge between the ignorance that has been my black history lessons, and the reality of 50 years ago. Bloody Sunday is the point of contact for that bridge – a moment in history which embodies so starkly the experience of so many black folks in America for too many years, and too many years which linger into the present.
“Being in Selma was a way to reconstruct a bridge of trust that was lost when white cops chose to beat their brothers and sisters, their skin tones the enemy and their bodies the victim. Not that I can establish trust myself, but by learning about the movement, the differences between reality and a well-crafted but still inaccurate movie, and hearing the voices of my socially segregated neighbors, I will be prepared to raise a voice of disruption when the present starts sounding eerily like the past. And in so doing, perhaps establish one more bridge of trust.
“Selma reminded me that voluntary social segregation exists today. And when I simply flock to people who look like me because I feel more secure in my own skin, I perpetuate that dysfunctional separation.
“Bloody Sunday is ultimately a challenge. When people live the relentless optimism of nonviolent resistance, the truth of equal treatment and opportunity resonates beyond death, beyond clubs and bruises. I am challenged and encouraged by my brothers and sisters who chose to amplify the ideals of peace and persistence when they walked that bridge.”
– Leah Clements
“On his Facebook page, one of the young people from Beloved asked why folks are so focused on events that happened 50 years ago, when right now, unarmed minority youth are being killed by the police. In my reply to him, I replied that we need to look back in order to find the courage to move forward. I went to Selma to celebrate the faith and determination of those who marched for justice 50 years ago. They marched, not knowing what was going to happen, but stepping forward in faith. And, because of their courage and the courage of all of those foot soldiers of the civil rights movement, things did change. Their actions are an inspiration, especially when we look at events around us and think that things will never change.
“The other reason I went to Selma was to participate in the day’s events. The program was full of workshops dealing with such timely topics incarceration, immigration and health care. Unfortunately, I did not get to attend any of them. What I did get to do was to travel to Selma with a group from Beloved, park in a spot that had been reserved for us by the Pastor of First Church, fellowship and attend activities with a family from Pilgrim, and drive back to Birmingham with a group from Covenant. Any day spent with my UCC family is a great day indeed!
– Denyse Thornley-Brown
“The Selma commemoration is act of remembrance, of gratitude to God and people of faith and courage. It is also an act of recommitment to be about God’s work in the world. Bloody Sunday brought to light state-sanctioned violence against blacks and the power of God’s liberating spirit to bring an end to that violence and bondage.
“As John Legend said at the Oscars, Selma is Now! During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, two to three Black people were lynched every week in the American South. The same number of Black people are now killed every week now by white police officers; a Black person is killed every 28 hours at the hands of police of any race.
“To end violence and bondage is the liberating work of the spirit of God today, and if it is God’s work, it is our work. This we know: Nothing and no one will stand in the way of the liberating power of God.”
– Rev. Angie Wright
Photos by Denyse Thornley-Brown and Leah Clements
