A Look At The Past To Help The Future
It is often said that journalism is the first rough draft of history. As we sit here in the early days of 2021 reflecting on 2020, we often wonder what history will say about the past year. We saw a global pandemic, natural disasters destroying countless homes, a contentious election, violent clashes, case after case of injustice against our friends, neighbors, and all communities of color and the nationwide protests drawing awareness and attention to Black Lives Matter.
Sadly, a lot of the issues we are facing right now beyond the pandemic are not new ones. And while many are optimistic that a new administration coming in just days will start healing a broken country, we know that until the lessons of our past are learned, history will find a way to keep repeating itself.
The fight for racial equality has been going on since before the United States declared its independence, and while we have made steps forward, it is certainly not enough. Over 50 years ago, we saw similar violence and protests in Alabama as the Black community fought to end segregation and achieve equal right. In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the colored section of a bus for its white passengers. After this protest ensued, and Montgomery was order by the Supreme Court to integrate their bus system. Nearly a decade later, in Birmingham, four Black children were killed, and a dozen others were injured in a bombing attack on a Black church by members of the Ku Klux Klan. Two years following the attacks, protestors were marching peacefully calling for equal civil rights when police forces and country men in Selma attacked the unarmed protestors with tear gas and billy clubs. The events that happened in Alabama were turning points in United States and in the civil right movement. These horrific and tragic events contributed to support for passage by Congress of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
We are proud to be partnering with the Tucson JCC in offering the Amplifying Voices series, a series on the Intersection of Black and Jewish Identities. The next event in the Amplifying Voices series, on January 31 at 5pm, allows us to look behind from where we came and the lessons of the past to come alive. Journey to the past and participate in a virtual Civil Rights Tour and interactive discussion of Alabama with an emphasis on the cities of Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma. Hosted by T. Marie King, an Alabama native, leading activist, speaker, trainer, and community consultant with 20 plus years of experience in addressing diversity and inclusion challenges, grassroots efforts, and community healing and conversations.
This event will feature a special Chicagoland only community breakout room hosted by our own Associate Director, Joelle Kelenson. Come and see how we can learn from the past to do good today and every day.
Join us on Sunday, January 31 at 5pm CST. The event is free and open to anyone 13 years and older.
To register or learn visit the Amplifying Voices website.