Day 74 - Birmingham 16th Street Baptist Church, Elizabeth Warren

We had to stay an extra day, despite losing one day in Nashville. Last night we saw on the news that Elizabeth Warren, presidential candidate and senator was going to be in Birmingham for a rally. Bill hadn't been to a presidential rally yet.

During the day, we visited the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, which was unfortunately famous for the 1963 bombing, where four girls lost their lives. In the tour, we sat in the pews and watched a video about the history of the church and its important role in the Civil Rights Movement. Video of real footage was showing young guys and girls standing on the front stairs, demonstrating against institutionalized racism. The front square was witness to non-violence protests, led by school children, being quenched with tear gas and water hoses. I think it was all these traumatic images that the rest of the world couldn't take anymore, and finally laws were passed. The Civil Rights Act was passed the following year; and in 1965 the Voting Rights Act was passed, making literacy tests and poll taxes illegal.

16th Street Baptist Church

This stained glass had been ruined in the bombing. Jesus' face and part of his cape was missing, but has since been restored.

Memorial to the four girls and location of the bombing

This window was donated by the people of Wales after the 1963 bombing of the church. The artist,  John Petts depicted a black Jesus with his arms outstretched. The right hand symbolizes oppression, his left is asking for forgiveness.

We walked around 4th street, where the Carver Theater for the Performing Arts and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame are located. Unfortunately there are no tours for the theater unless we buy tickets for a performance, and the person in charge of the hall of fame decided to have a very short working day and had just left. At least, this is what the barber next door to the museum told us. He was sitting outside, basking in the sun. He was having a slow day. He was apologizing for the museum operator. We love it when we get to speak with someone local and we always have plenty of time to shoot the breeze. We also learn a lot about local events and venues to visit.

We talked about Birmingham but also about Selma, Montgomery and travelling.

After a while, he told us that we had to pay a visit to the Eddie Kendricks and the Temptation Park.

So we did. It's a small one but the statues are awesome. I remember a couple of the songs from the titles on the wall. I could hear it in the air 😊

The rally was at the Boutwell Auditorium. Despite being in a mostly republican city and on a weekday, 500 people showed up. It was well organized and Elizabeth Warren showed up on time.

It is always exciting being in the presence of someone so famous. We recognize the face, the voice and mannerisms. She is full of energy and bounces around the stage. It is all staged. She is well rehearsed but despite that she comes out genuine. I might be biased on this comment...

She gives a straight talk, as she punctuates her points by dividing them into parts... part one we do this... part two we do that. It makes it really clear. I like what she says: Medicare for all, 2% increase tax on the 50 million and above rich, free daycare. And then she keeps hammering on the concept of unionizing. I feel my brain going on emergency brakes... what unionize? Wait a minute! I recognize it's my Dad's thinking that had slipped into my head from childhood. He was a small business owner, trying to keep his company afloat in the 70's in Italy. But here in the USA, it's a different story. The working class does not have even remotely what is a given in Europe.  I go back on my thoughts. Yes we need the unions here not only for the giant corporations that can afford teams of expensive lawyers, but for all the workers... until basics are guaranteed... OK I am done with my rant 😏