“Funny when you’re dead how people start listening” (The Band Perry). On September 15th, 1963, at 10:22 in the morning, America would not be the same again, as sticks of dynamite planted by the Ku Klux Klan, in the 16th Street Baptist Church, blew up four little black girls. What was supposed to be the debut as ushers in the church for Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley turned out to be the last day of their lives. Their story started out like any other day, specifically a warm Sunday morning, in which each of the girls walked briskly and cheerfully along the sidewalk to church. Upon arriving, the girls, wearing thick white dresses, perfectly sewn together by their mamas, engaged in brief conversation, and
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This incident took place at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, and Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. eulogized the girls by highlighting that in this time of darkness, our community would only grow larger and stronger. King’s disappointment in the “white moderate” was displayed in many of his speeches and writings, in which he explained the power of societal roles. Although the natural tendency is to respond with violence, King advised that was not the right way, so instead marches and protests flooded the streets. However, like most things, it got worse before it got better. Overall, the aftermath of the bombing is still in play today, as we historically look back at this instance as a shift in the corrupt southern society. America woke up and discovered that this nightmare was a reality that needed a major makeover. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing fueled a nation’s outrage and brought the extremely racist way of life in Birmingham, Alabama to the forefront of America’s concern, which would be forever altered by the deaths of four innocent black girls. that would honor these girls as national icons of …show more content…
The spilled blood of these innocent girls may cause the whole citizenry of Birmingham to transform the negative extremes of a dark past into the positive extremes of a bright future. Indeed, this tragic event may cause the white South to come to terms with its conscience. (King, “Eulogy for the Victims of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing”)
Of course, this catastrophic disturbance forever scarred us, but the good news was that “we could turn a crucifixion into a resurrection, new life, new hope, new energy and more determination” (Lee). Another valid point that King makes is that They didn’t live long lives, but they lived meaningful lives. Their lives were distressingly small in quantity, but glowingly large in quality. They did not die in the dives and dens of Birmingham, nor did they discussing and listening to filthy jokes. They died between the sacred walls of the church of God, and they were discussing the eternal meaning of love. This stands out as a beautiful, beautiful thing for all generations. (King, “Eulogy”)
Although the four young girls paid the price for our nation’s ignorance, their lives will live on as legacies and provide hope in the race for equality. Towards the end of his speech, King closes
This incident took place at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, and Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. eulogized the girls by highlighting that in this time of darkness, our community would only grow larger and stronger. King’s disappointment in the “white moderate” was displayed in many of his speeches and writings, in which he explained the power of societal roles. Although the natural tendency is to respond with violence, King advised that was not the right way, so instead marches and protests flooded the streets. However, like most things, it got worse before it got better. Overall, the aftermath of the bombing is still in play today, as we historically look back at this instance as a shift in the corrupt southern society. America woke up and discovered that this nightmare was a reality that needed a major makeover. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing fueled a nation’s outrage and brought the extremely racist way of life in Birmingham, Alabama to the forefront of America’s concern, which would be forever altered by the deaths of four innocent black girls. that would honor these girls as national icons of …show more content…
The spilled blood of these innocent girls may cause the whole citizenry of Birmingham to transform the negative extremes of a dark past into the positive extremes of a bright future. Indeed, this tragic event may cause the white South to come to terms with its conscience. (King, “Eulogy for the Victims of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing”)
Of course, this catastrophic disturbance forever scarred us, but the good news was that “we could turn a crucifixion into a resurrection, new life, new hope, new energy and more determination” (Lee). Another valid point that King makes is that They didn’t live long lives, but they lived meaningful lives. Their lives were distressingly small in quantity, but glowingly large in quality. They did not die in the dives and dens of Birmingham, nor did they discussing and listening to filthy jokes. They died between the sacred walls of the church of God, and they were discussing the eternal meaning of love. This stands out as a beautiful, beautiful thing for all generations. (King, “Eulogy”)
Although the four young girls paid the price for our nation’s ignorance, their lives will live on as legacies and provide hope in the race for equality. Towards the end of his speech, King closes