Why am I going to Selma when there are so many other options to fulfil my travel bug?

Selma, Alabama served as a pivotal location in the Civil Rights Movement, most notably as the starting point for the Selma to Montgomery marches which were crucial in the fight for voting rights and led directly to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The “Bloody Sunday” incident, where peaceful protestors were violently attacked by state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, is a significant event associated with Selma. The Edmund Pettus Bridge itself is a powerful symbol of the struggle for voting rights. I want to stand at ground zero for many changes that were necessary to come about in the 1960’s. There is so much for me to learn about human rights and the struggle in Alabama. I want to stand hand-in-hand on this bridge with my Shaaray community and experience this with them.

I am looking forward to seeing the pulpit where Dr. King preached. It is with respect and awe that I will be able to stand on the actual spot where Mrs. Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat on the bus. I am looking forward to a profound understanding of the circumstances.

I am looking forward to standing in the historically significant Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. The church, another center of Civil Rights, played a key role in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was baptized, ordained and co-pastored at Ebenezer. This is where he delivered some of his most famous sermons, including, “The Dimensions of a Complete Life,” “What is a Man?,” and “Loving Your Enemies.”

For sure, this will not be Disneyworld. Additionally, for sure, this will be a trip that will be permanently remembered for the experience of it all. Along with the lasting memories, so too will I make new connections and friendships in some of our countries most historical places.

So again, why am I going to Selma when there are so many other places to fulfill my travel bug? Short answer… I want to think, experience and connect.

Stephanie DiChristina