Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 17 March 2005 — Page 24

Page 24 • The Muncie Times • March 17, 2005

Continued from Page 1 It is part of the shame that motivated many to become activists for justice. The world watched as television and newspapers documented police officers armed with tear gas, riot guns, and nightsticks overwhelming the demonstrators. Marchers were trampled and beaten. About 15 mounted police crushed fallen marchers under the hoofs of their horses. Others were overrun as the crowd tried to retreat. Many marchers were hospitalized with serious injuries, while still others suffered trauma in other ways. The chaos created by the retreating crowd and the choking fog of tear gas gave the name "Bloody Sunday" meaning. The sanctuary of Browns Chapel AME Church became a refuge from the hail of physical and verbal abuse by law enforcement officers. Men, women and children, young and old sought comfort from the savagery in the black church which more and more lived up to its prophetic calling. This was the anniversary that was observed, but why? In 1965, the mayor of Selma was segregationist Joe Smitherman. Selma, Alabama became known worldwide for its oppression of people of color. The story could end there, but many people in Muncie are aware that in 2000, Joe Smitherman was defeated in the mayoral election by James Perkins, Jr., a

black man. Visitors to Selma today will find a very changed place from 1965. A look at the city’s web page shows a white man and black woman together. The city’s motto: "Selma on the Move, Civil War to Civil Rights and Beyond" is becoming real. McGregor is witness to the truth that Selma is in the "beyond" phase. Describing Selma as a city which is becoming unified in their struggle for human rights, McGregor characterizes the mood in Selma as "harmonious". How does a city known for blatant racism transcend its history into a reconciling place whose tourist base celebrates the civil rights movement? McGregor says there is no substitute for standing in the place where people suffered so much for the right to vote. Her four day stay was punctuated with activities which attempted to reenact this historic time. The first activity on Thursday was a mass meeting held at Tabernacle Baptist Church. The Rev. Joseph Lowery keynoted this event. Lowery, a battle worn soldier in the struggle for civil rights as leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Council (SCLC) is living evidence of the tenacity of African Americans in the United States. His rousing address set the tone for the anniversary celebration. The Freedom Singers who

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were known then, as now, as the troubadours of justice sang songs that had spurred change. In singing the songs of freedom, music became an important tool in forging nonviolent means of ending oppression. A host of celebrities also attended the events. McGregor’s short list included Coretta Scott King, Jesse Jackson, Harry Belafonte, Rep. Maxine Waters and Rep. John Lewis. On Friday, several learning experiences were available. McGregor attended a conference on the Invisible Giants. These were the unsung heroes, black and white, who risked all, so that justice might be done. People from all over the world were in attendance which reinforced to McGregor that cooperation is a requisite to meaningful change. On Monday, the historic moment on the bridge was observed as 75 people from all over the world walked in the

footprints of Invisible Giants. Some who marched in 2005 had done the same in 1965. A Spirit of Perseverance permeated Selma according to McGregor. On the bridge (which has become a symbol for change), she felt as if she was a part of history. "Somebody did something for me here. What will I be able to do for those who come after me?" "No matter what happened, they (civil rights activists in Selma) didn’t give up. At the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, McGregor observed the nightsticks used to subdue the demonstrators. She said they looked more like baseball bats. Seeing die museum and its collection impacted McGregor significantly. She is still processing this experience and its meaning for life here in Muncie. In 1965,19.3% of blacks in Alabama were registered to vote. 69.2% of whites were

registered the same year. Today, 74% of voting age blacks is registered to vote in Alabama with 77% of whites registered. Significant change has taken place in Selma, Alabama. Former white segregationist, Joe Smitherman was defeated in 2000 by African American, James Perkins for mayor. Perkins was reelected as mayor in 2004. Life is far from perfect in Selma. However, McGregor observed that in Selma, people seem to focus on solutions, not just problem identification. So what does that have to do with us? On May 14, 2005, Mayor James Perkins will return to Muncie to keynote a Prayer Brunch. As Muncie attempts to find solutions to its many problems, perhaps Perkins’ insight on strong leadership and political reconciliation can turn the tide in Muncie. Selma acted on its justice talk and won. What is Muncie missing?

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