As
we mark the Black history month, I would like to celebrate my life as
an African American. I was born in the beautiful state of Alabama.
This state has amazing landscape. Alabama bears the footprints of
Civil
Rights Movement
and the glorious history of liberation of blacks.
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| Center for learning |
As
a university girl, at the University of Alabama, I carry the history
in my vision and thinking. While graduating with major in History at
the university, I was introduced to history not only through lectures
and books but by the writings on the wall, on campus and in
cafeteria. My university days have shaped my ideals and beliefs. My
professors who had seen the Civil Rights Movement in America were the
living libraries of the historical events. Many of them actively
participated in the movement.
One
of my professors, who was a staunch Marxist, believed that capitalism
is the root cause of racism. He argued capitalists believe that
racism is important to sustain the class divide. He was a white
American and was deeply critical of racism. He criticized that the
capitalists used church to subjugate the blacks. Theology was used as
a tool for the oppression of blacks and to uphold the superiority of
whites.
Though
I am not a Marxist, but I admire my professor because he was a man of
letters. Extremely well-articulate with a towering personality, he
made history walk in college lectures and informal chats. My interest
in history grew more with his teachings and finesse in history.
University
of Alabama carries the history of segregation. The African American
students were not allowed to study there. The then governor of
Alabama, George Wallace blocked the entry of African American
students. His move raised a roaring controversy. Segregation was made
unconstitutional in 1954’s Brown v. Board of Education but George
Wallace was no short of adhering to the ideology of segregation.
President
John F. Kennedy used deployment of National Guard troops under
federal laws to dismantle segregation at the University of Alabama in
1963. This brought an end to the aggressive segregation divide at the
University of Alabama. The entry of African American students ushered
a new era in the history of liberation of blacks.
The
rich history of Alabama does not stop only at the doors of University
of Alabama but walks all the way through famous historical sites. The
historical places which witnessed the Civil Rights Movement such as
Birmingham saw the light of Birmingham Campaign. The golden pages of
history also include the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
In
1963, the Birmingham Campaign led by Martin Luther King was launched.
This served an important force in the Civil Rights Movement in
America. The Birmingham Campaign marked the protest against
segregation laws prevalent in the city.
The
huge significance of Birmingham Campaign reflects in the words of
President John F. Kennedy, "The
events in Birmingham... have so increased the cries for equality that
no city or state or legislative body can prudently choose to ignore
them."
Montgomery
Bus Boycott is another glorious moment in the history of Civil Rights
Movement. The arrest of Rosa Parks followed the Montgomery Bus
Boycott. This was a turning event in the history of liberation of
blacks. The Montgomery Bus Boycott brought the U.S. Supreme Court
ruling which declared the segregation on public buses
unconstitutional.
The
rich history of Alabama speaks volumes. I feel blessed to be born in
Alabama. My Alabama commemorates the Black history month along with
millions of Americans. Let Alabama talk his history. Alabama
continues to march in the hearts of people who stand hand in hand to
fight against discrimination and oppression and pledge for equal and
plural society.
