3/5

Monday, my wife and I observed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day by driving two hours to Montgomery, Alabama to learn more about a few sad chapters of our country's history-- chapters we all would do well to read and learn about.

We started at the Civil Rights Museum, which is attached to the Southern Poverty Law Center, and we were in awe immediately. There is a memorial dedicated to the many who died during the civil rights movement, as well as the Wall of Tolerance with a quote from Dr. King. Very moving stuff. Hallowed water flows over both memorials, one was the wall, and the other resembled a sundial without the centerpiece. Seeing the events and seeing the names of people who were killed for no good reason, and that most of the time there was no justice and no accountability, made me very sad, and embarrassed to be the same race as the aggressors. And in thinking on the courage on display by those people, made *me* feel like 3/5 of a human being, knowing I very likely would not have that kind of courage.

We also walked down toward the state capitol, where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as first President of the Confederacy in 1861, where the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march ended in 1965, and came across a parade, which we stopped to enjoy. Lots of bands, lots of kids and a lot of fun. Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Dr. King was the preacher, is a block away from the capitol. We stood on the street corner and could feel the history all around us. There was a vibe of hope in the air, and it felt wonderful.

Our last stop was the Rosa Parks Museum, in honor of the woman whose courage sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Another enlightening experience, well done, and informative. The heroism and the courage of the oppressed stands in stark contrast to the behavior and cowardice of others. I was (and still am) in awe.

I aspire to have *half* the courage of those who stood up for what they believed in.