Justice Journey Day 4
Day 4
We were privileged to sleep a little later this morning - 1 hour. We began our day with a lecture by Rev. Jennifer Kottler, Director of Education and Outreach for the Chicago-based education and advocacy group Protestants for the Common Good. She is also an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a registered state (IL) lobbyist. She spoke on the "Triple A Attributes of Reconciliation Ambassadors," 1. Awareness - override our tendencies to discount information. 2. Accept Responsibility - to pursue justice and righteousness. 3. Acting for Change - using resources and influence to address systemic injustice. The following quotes were shared: "We didn't land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock landed on us." "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us."
After this we watched Spike Lee's Film "Four Little Girls," which documented the bombing of the 16th St. Baptist Church on September 15, 1963, where Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley were the tragic victims of that act of violence. This prepared us for today's journey back to Alabama. Where we traveled to Birmingham's Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church, where we heard a few words from Pastor Price and Dr. John Perkins who spoke on "Forgiveness and Reconciliation." Awareness can open a door for hatred, anger and frustration, but as the body we are reminded of Christ's interaction with a persecutor named Saul and the conversion experience he had, becoming an authentic follower of Jesus and a "fisher of men." As we headed for our dinner site, we reflected on all we had seen and experienced today. While we were driving we passed a company truck with a logo that had a Confederate soldier representing the Kennesaw Trucking Company of Atlanta, GA. Some things remain to plague the South and remind us that the battle is not over yet...
We were privileged to sleep a little later this morning - 1 hour. We began our day with a lecture by Rev. Jennifer Kottler, Director of Education and Outreach for the Chicago-based education and advocacy group Protestants for the Common Good. She is also an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a registered state (IL) lobbyist. She spoke on the "Triple A Attributes of Reconciliation Ambassadors," 1. Awareness - override our tendencies to discount information. 2. Accept Responsibility - to pursue justice and righteousness. 3. Acting for Change - using resources and influence to address systemic injustice. The following quotes were shared: "We didn't land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock landed on us." "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us."
After this we watched Spike Lee's Film "Four Little Girls," which documented the bombing of the 16th St. Baptist Church on September 15, 1963, where Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley were the tragic victims of that act of violence. This prepared us for today's journey back to Alabama. Where we traveled to Birmingham's Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church, where we heard a few words from Pastor Price and Dr. John Perkins who spoke on "Forgiveness and Reconciliation." Awareness can open a door for hatred, anger and frustration, but as the body we are reminded of Christ's interaction with a persecutor named Saul and the conversion experience he had, becoming an authentic follower of Jesus and a "fisher of men." As we headed for our dinner site, we reflected on all we had seen and experienced today. While we were driving we passed a company truck with a logo that had a Confederate soldier representing the Kennesaw Trucking Company of Atlanta, GA. Some things remain to plague the South and remind us that the battle is not over yet...
posted by Ramiro at 9:45 PM
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