“Let it break your heart, but not your spirit”

Hello, this is Kevin

“Let it break your heart, but not your spirit” – Ms. Shirley Cherry, Tour Guide at the Dexter Parsonage Museum 

The last couple of days have been action packed with trips, discussions, travel, and reflection. My initial feelings when arriving at Resurrection Catholic Missions was appreciation. I realized that the months of preparation, fundraising, and classes had finally accumulated into being in this place. I am so happy to be a part of this group, and although it is only the beginning, I already feel like I am learning so much.

Yesterday was a very busy day. We traveled into downtown Montgomery, and went to the Dexter Parsonage Museum, the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, the Capital Building, and the Rosa Parks Museum. Being in Martin Luther King Jr.’s home was such a powerful experience. Our tour guide, Cherry, took us through King’s daily life as well as the history and location of the famous bombing of his home. Seeing the table in which he reflected on his mission as a leader within the Civil Rights Movement was really empowering.

The most important and informative experience we were blessed with yesterday was speaking with Civil Rights leaders of the past and the present during our “Traditional Southerner Picnic” dinner. Among the speakers, we were able to talk to Rev. Robert and Mrs. Jeannie Graetz, Ms. Doris Crenshaw, Mr. Nelson Malden, Ms. Claire Milligan, and many others. I was astounded by the level of knowledge they could give us about this the Civil Rights Movement, and the way they could inspire us to continue to fight for change and the rights of those who experience prejudice. One statement that really struck me was when I talked with Rev Robert Graetz, who was a part of the Civil Rights Movement during the Montgomery and shared a relationship with Martin Luther King Jr. I told him I was astonished by the level of courage he was able to display, despite the fear of being bombed and harassed on a daily basis. He told me that much of courage was due to his faith in God, and that “Martin”, during one of his sermons, had warned his parishioners that some of their peers would be killed. King acknowledged the dangers of speaking out and protesting, and yet these activists had enough conviction and faith in God to continue to work for what was right. Their strength is inspiring.  

There is something about walking through King’s home, these churches, and talking with people who actually took part in this period of history that is so much deeper and powerful than reading or discussions than the limited school setting. By visiting these places and talking to people, this movement is starting to become a reality. Through these experiences, I feel that our entire group is not only getting a better grasp of the history, but also the role we are meant to play in continue to inspire change.