Cross-Cultural Reflection: A Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage

"Standing on the shoulders of giants." It's a familiar phrase and one I've heard a lot lately as I've been engulfed in politics and the history of the Civil Rights movement. With the events of my life over the past few weeks, I think it is safe to say I have stood among giants.

My time in the Washington Community Scholars' Center program has been incredible thus far. My internship with The Faith and Politics Institute has exposed me to opportunities I've always thought were beyond a college student. The Institute works closely with the Legislative branch of government, allowing time for personal and spiritual reflection for members of Congress.

Our latest event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one I will never forget. You may recall that recently the faces of presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have been plastered on the front page of newspapers, describing their trips to Selma, Alabama for a Civil Rights march commemorating Bloody Sunday. Faith and Politics was partially responsible for hosting the Civil Rights march and so I was there, in the midst of craziness and awe. Did I mention former President Clinton was also present?

The Institute's goal was not to attract the biggest names in politics, but to lead a Congressional delegation to Alabama for a Civil Rights pilgrimage. For three days we traveled through Alabama, revisiting significant sights of the Civil Rights era lead by Rep. John Lewis of Georgia who experienced the events of the 60's first hand. Not only has Congressman Lewis been serving in the House of Representatives for twenty-one years, he is a Civil Rights luminary. He was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington in 1963 and the only one of those speakers still living. In addition to heading the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (a prominent young people's Civil Rights advocacy group), he lead the famous march across the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama which was stopped short by policeman who brutally beat the marchers. This march resulted in the Voting Rights Act and has been known as Bloody Sunday.

The event was two-fold. Most of the trip consisted of an incredibly moving experience retracing an embarrassing, but significant chapter of America's history. The other part was feeling the surreal effects of the presence of rock-star politicians. To experience such events within the span of seventy-two hours was emotionally draining but incredibly stimulating at the same time.

Our pilgrimage included visiting the intersection in Montgomery where Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat, 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham where four little girls were killed by a bomb and Kelly Ingram Park; the sight of the horrid but famous pictures of police dogs and powerful water hoses being turned on young African Americans. It is difficult to describe the feelings when walking through the exact spot where something so significant occurred, but to go along with John Lewis as your host, telling stories of the events goes beyond words.

The list of luminaries who accompanied us on the trip was remarkable. Google these names and you will be impressed: Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, one of the leaders and most arrested men in the Civil Rights movement who survived numerous murder attempts and received the Presidential Medal of Honor from President Bill Clinton for his Lifetime of Service. Bettie Mae Fikes, a singer and daughter of the Civil Rights movement, imprisoned for singing during the Selma voting rights struggle in 1963 and has since performed at Carnegie Hall. Bernard LaFayette, who co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee with John Lewis, and a member of the Freedom Rides and Selma Voting movement and is currently an educator in Peace and Justice Studies. Bob Zellner, a son and grandson of Kux Klux Klan members, but lived a life for human rights and was personally called upon by Martin Luther King Jr. to help with the Civil Rights movement.

We were also in close contact with Congresspersons who chose to reeducate themselves about the Civil Rights. At first I couldn't fathom that I was sitting right beside Raul Grijalva, representative from Arizona or taking a picture for Rep. Darlene Hooley of Oregon.

But as the trip wore on, it was clear that these men and women are not mystical icons but rather normal people with emotions just like ourselves. The luminaries surfaced as the true stars of the pilgrimage. Standing arm-in-arm singing "We Shall Overcome" with the very same people who risked their lives to sing that same song in the 1960's was an incredibly moving experience; one that I cannot put into words, only feel with my heart.

As the pilgrimage ventured into Selma, we found ourselves amongst the masses of fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Barack, Hillary or Bill. What a change of pace! We were rushed around the town closely guarded by security escorts, flashing our credentials to get into the dining hall to have lunch with Hillary Clinton or the historical Brown Chapel to worship and hear Barack Obama speak. There was also a flurry of excitement upon the arrival of former President Clinton.

Unfortunately, the presence of such prominent figureheads took away from the intended solemn commemoration of the event. However, I was moved by the symbolism in another way. This was indeed a political event, despite the denials from Obama and Clinton spokespeople. The march across Edmund Pettis Bridge on that fateful Sunday in 1965 was also a political event.

Marchers were advocating their right to vote and equality for all God's people. I cannot help but acknowledge how far we've come. Though not often the case, it was in this instance that I was proud of America. To have arguably the two most influential people in United States politics marching across the bridge remembering the Civil Rights era was remarkable.

I returned from the pilgrimage flying high, still stunned by the experience; whether it was shaking hands with Barack Obama, standing with John Lewis on the bridge where he was beaten forty-two years earlier, or having Harris Wofford, former senator and attorney for Martin Luther King Jr., look me in the eyes and say "I see greatness in you". Though I am doubtful of the greatness within myself, I know I was surrounded by it on this anniversary of Bloody Sunday. I will forever view politics and the Civil Rights movement in a much more meaningful and personal way.