https://museumandmemorial.eji.org/memorial
Although I anticipated being unsettled doing so, from the moment I learned of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, visiting it has been a priority for me. If visiting the Memorial in person is not possible, I encourage you: Visit the website above in the spirit of bearing witness.
Walking through this sacred place, my mind raced as quickly as my feelings shifted. How does a "well-educated" American get to be seventy-one without knowing more of this shameful history? What will I do differently knowing more? How will I maintain my composure asking questions of the employees? I moved from being soul-sick to angry to raw.
Nothing can adequately prepare someone for what they will learn at the Memorial. I implore you - take a few moments and learn as much as you can handle.
Thank you for sharing Pat. I saw a spot on this with Bryan Stevenson a while back on TV. Since I most likely will never get there, the website link was appreciated. It reminds me of the feelings I had about going to Auschwitz with my daughter and grandson several years ago.
ReplyDeleteInes; You're more than welcome; thanks for the comment. I'm not surprised looking at this website brings back the horror of Auschwitz. The number of victims may be widely disparate but the reasons for these horrors come from a poison that has always existed in our species - a warped belief some groups have in their "superiority" and the permission that gives that group to oppress or attempt to annihilate any group deemed "inferior."
DeleteGood morning, Pat. And thank you for posting such a wonderful entry. I am a little ashamed to admit that, although having heard about this Memorial, I was not that much aware of what it encompassed. I've just spent some time looking at pictures that have been posted and articles that were written about the memorial and all that it means. Rather than trying a poor attempt to describe my feelings, I'll just say 'Wow' ...
ReplyDeleteI also doubt I will ever have the opportunity to get there. But, again, thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Be well,
Bob
Bob; You are more than welcome. As I said to Ines (above), I'm so pleased you took the time to learn even just a little bit about this history. I have to believe that if more people knew about this, the world could heal a little bit.
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