First of all, I wanted to say that today was a roller coaster of emotions. Today we were in Atlanta, GA. We attended church at the Ebenezer--the church where MLK preached at-- and we also visited MLK's birth home, grave site, and museums located at the King Center. Afterward, we got lunch at a cafe and visited the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Then we got on the bus to make our way to Birmingham, Alabama. After getting there around 7 something we went to get dinner and it was amazing. However, that just a synopsis as to what happened but I felt overwhelmed with happiness, sadness, and I was very reflective.
So I will begin with my church experiences. In the beginning, I was a bit nervous as to what was going to happen since it been a while since I attended church. My household is predominantly catholic, however, I am agnostic and have been for the past 6 years of my life after a life changing event and learning about the sciences and other religions in school. So I was ready, a bit sleepy because I wanted coffee but I loved it, I loved the energy, the support, the interconnectedness between religion and the social issues currently taking place today. It was something different that I was used to but I liked the church and the togetherness of the community and emphasis on creating change and not turning their heads to the sufferings of the people and the inequalities that continue to persist in this world.
Afterward, we visited MLK's birth home, with an hour to do what we wanted within the radius of the new Ebenezer Church, Johari and I buddied up and made our way to MLK and Coretta's graves. I was telling Johari that it is such and honor to be here. Eventually, we made our way to the gift shop, bought the cheapest thing there, a postcard and a pencil. Afterwards, we made our way back to original church but got caught in a conversation with Ms. Davidoff-Gore. Then we realized that it was time to get going and we had to run to the meeting place before the tour started. We got there after running a mini marathon and waited for the ranger. I was shaking with excitement and curiosity into MLK's childhood and stepping into his home. Eventually, the ranger comes and we get going and then I am inside the house and I am in awe. I really liked the homey feel I got from it and it was really fun. The ranger told us about how when Martin was a young child he didn't like to complete his chores, so he would hide in the bathroom reading his comics or he would get his brother and/or sister to do it for them. Once the tour came to an end, we hand an hour to explore so Johari and I made our way out to the original Ebenezer church and it was like I was transported in time. Sitting in the third pew in the front road, we just sat there and in the background was MLK's voice, preaching and I suddenly felt so overwhelmed with a sadness because I just started thinking of all the things that had to transpire and I felt like crying, I felt like I just wanted to let it out but I had to keep my composure. Again, I can't stress this enough but to have been able to set foot in the originals church where MLK preached at when he was young is such an honor, I would have never imaged myself doing what I am doing today. After a long silence of thought and unfiltered emotions, we headed out to the visitor center, and then we went to another museum within the gift shop.
Last but not least, we visited the Center for Civil and Human Civil Rights after we got lunch. I just wanted to say that I visited the museum with MERIT while I was on the college tour with MERIT. However, back to the present. We got a little overview tour from a guy (I can't remember his name) about a new rotating exhibition of 15,000 pieces of MLK's belongings such as his school work, letters from important people, his books, and last but not least, his transcript from Morehouse College. My first impression of MLK would be that he would be getting all A's however that was not the case, he got a few C's and a D in Intermediate French. I just stood there and I was in awe to know that MLK who was such an important speaker and leader in the Civil Rights Movement got C's. That just shows how human he was, that we all make mistakes and even if I get a C in math or failed my physics midterm my freshman year, that doesn't define me as a person, that is a grade and that I can still do great things like MLK did to the Civil Rights Movement, bringing hope and determination to the people. There were movements when I also wanted to cry and I felt extremely sad and pride for those that stood up and protested in the sit-ins. I participated in the simulation at the lunch counter and I completed my time but I just think of those that participated in it who suffered beatings, humiliation, and so much more and I look up to them and their courage and I only wish to share some of that courage.
In conclusion, today was a roller coaster of emotions. I was happy and sad but it was an eye-opening experience that is one of a kind and I am grateful to everybody that contributed to this trip to making this happen because never in a million years would I have thought I would be traveling with such wonderful people, meeting and getting to experience special moments of the civil rights movement.
-Jessica Marquez- Membrano, Baltimore City College
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