On This Day, Bloody Sunday

Today marks the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday Selma 1965, one of many stains on America's history that she would like to erase.

 

I remember in school hearing about the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Of course, however, it wasn't portrayed as the total atrocity that it was.

In 1986 I drove across country for the first time, I've done it several more times since then. I was barely 26 and it was my first time going further south than Washington DC, which is a whole other story within itself. After I got over the shock of having to pump my own gas, cuz' Jersey Girls STILL don't pump (smile)! Seriously, self-service is technically against the law in NJ and we love it! Back to the story...

The deeper I drove into the south, the more nervous I became. Emphasis of overt racism in the south was used as a scapegoat to deflect from equally potent anti-Black racism in the north. The impact was the same...

I remember my visceral reaction of disbelief when during my drive I start seeing street signs indicating 50 miles between Selma and Montgomery. Instantly, I had visions of my people being kicked, stomped, spat upon, beaten with billy clubs, bitten by dogs, violently hosed, trampled, etc. It had never occurred to me that they were willing to risk 50 miles of pure hell for the right to vote. My anxiety of being in the south skyrocketed. I found myself somewhere between angry, sad, and quite frankly, a little scared.

I was driving alone with no shortage of stories in my head and a concerned Black  Mother back in Jersey anxiously awaiting my daily call to let her know my whereabouts and that I was safe in a hotel before dark. Only then, could she go to bed...

Since then I've taken several southern treks exploring my history. I travel solo and I've taken groups on tours, twice to Alabama where we make a point of crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, stopping midspan to honor our ancestors. I'm actually hosting that trip again in November. If you're interested, let me know.

As we say farewell this week to Reverend Jesse Jackson and Dr. Bernard Lafayette, two civil rights heroes from this era, let us be reminded of our resilience as a people and be proud of our history. Let us also be reminded that our elders and ancestors literally went through hell for the rights we tend to take for granted, specifically the right to vote. Did you vote last week? There are primaries happening this week, March 10th, are you registered and ready to vote? Take someone to the polls with you.

Take a moment today to refresh or familiarize yourself on Bloody Sunday. Here are a few key points as shared by the Smithsonian (NMAAHC):

👉🏾 On March 7, 1965, approximately 600 marchers, led by activists including John Lewis and Hosea Williams, aimed to march from Selma to Montgomery to demand voting rights.

👉🏾 The march was violently confronted by law enforcement at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, resulting in brutal attacks on the peaceful demonstrators.

👉🏾 Following the violence, President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed the nation, leading to increased support for civil rights legislation.

👉🏾 The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was subsequently passed, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting and marking a significant victory for the civil rights movement.

✊🏾 We did that! Oh, yes we did...

~ Miss Higgi Says