Alabama Politics in
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NOTE: Sen. Hank Sanders has written a weekly column for papers in his legislative district for the past twenty years. These rural, weekly papers lack a web presence, and links to the columns are not typically otherwise available. The column below is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office for inclusion in the Daily News Digest.

Senate Sketches # 1084

By

Senator Sanders

********************************

Being on the front row of history was so powerful. The occasion was the kick-off of the 15^th Annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee. Appropriately enough, it was a mass meeting at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma. History was all around us. I was charged with getting people to strongly support the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute.

Tabernacle was the site of the first mass meeting in the Selma Voting Rights Struggle. The pastor, Rev. Louis Lloyd Anderson, agreed for the Church to be the site for the meeting. The church trustees, wracked with fear and trepidation, strongly objected. They even threatened to remove him as pastor if he went ahead with the meeting. He insisted on going forward with the mass meeting.

Rev. Anderson then told the trustees he would hold the mass meeting outside under the trees if he could not hold it in the church. They knew it would be worse to have it outside the Church. The trustees relented. Tabernacle became the first mass meeting place in the Selma Voting Rights struggle.

It was powerful hearing the story first hand from Dr. Bernard LaFayette, the original SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) worker who organized the meeting. He came from Rhode Island to this Fifteenth Bridge Crossing Jubilee to share his story of the Selma Voting Rights Movement. He called it “The Road To Selma.” Without trying, he spoke to why we really need the Museum to tell the story.

Dr. Frederick D. Reese shared the story of the “Courageous Eight:” Marie Foster; Amelia Boynton Robinson; Ernest Doyle; Ulysses Blackmon; Henry Shannon; James Gildersleeve; J. D. Hunter; and Frederick D. Reese. There were eight; but only three are alive: Reese, Boynton-Robinson, and Doyle.

The eight leaders defied a court injunction prohibiting more than three “Negroes” from gathering in Selma. They invited Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Selma for a mass meeting to build on the foundation laid by Bernard LaFayette and others. Without the Museum, this story would not be told so vividly on this and other occasions.

Rev. Carl Toodle shared his participation in the 1963 Birmingham Movement as a child. When the adults were stymied, the children took to the streets. They faced biting dogs and spewing fire hoses. They went to jail in masses. The Movement and its aftermath affected their lives profoundly. Some were affected for the better and some for the worse.

Rev. Toodle reminded us that the Civil Rights Movement was often powered by children too young to vote. They did not have families to protect, jobs to hold on to, and material things to lose. Rev. Toodle reminded us not only of the children’s role but our duty to them. Without the Museum, the children’s role may well go unshared and unappreciated.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Al Sampson, reminded us of the Freedom Rides and other dimensions of the struggle. He also focused on the youth. He came by way of Chicago to share this history and call us to action.

Dr. Sampson talked about how we took what we had and made what we needed (Even though he did not use those words). When Black people could not eat at restaurants as they traveled, they carried shoe boxes stuffed with fried chicken, pound cake, cheese, sweet potato pie, etc. They ate anyway.

Dr. Sampson was on his way to London, England to speak but he came by Selma to share his story. Without the Museum, none of this would have happened.

The Museum preserves the past, shares in the present, and points the way to the future. It also brings tens of thousands from across this country and around the world to be energized by their history. Their presence produces a measurable economic impact. It also produces an immeasurable social and cultural impact.

I talked about how the Alabama River is eating away at the physical foundation of the Museum. It will take hundreds of thousands of dollars to shore it up. It must also operate on a day to day basis. Still, I did not ask for a collection on this occasion, but I placed the need to support the Museum on the minds and hearts of those gathered. If I did not, then the speakers certainly did.

This was not the only occasion that I spoke to the need to support the Museum. I also called for support at the Freedom Flames Awards Banquet and Brown Chapel AME Church. I hope my voice was heard. If not, I hope the voices of those who told the story spoke to the need.

Now on to the Daily Diary.

Saturday - I worked on various matters before facilitating a Unity Breakfast. I then traveled to Montgomery to attend the funeral of our beloved leader, Johnnie Carr. I then attended the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee where I was elected as an Obama Delegate. I returned to Selma to attend the funeral of Alice Bryant, mother to one of our long time employees. I also talked to the following: Businessman Frank Chestnut; Representative John Knight; Reporter Al Benn; State Board of Education member Ella Bell; Dr. Paul Hubbert of the Alabama Education Association (AEA); former Secretary of State Nancy Worley; Jenetta Whitt Mitchell of Mobile; Jerry Pennick of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives; Senator E. B. McClain; and Sharon Wheeler of the President Pro Tem’s Office. I worked into the night.

Sunday - I did Radio Sunday School with Minister Tracy Shannon, Radio Education, and Sunday Review. I participated in Sunday School and met with the following: Kindaka Sanders over lunch; White Hall Mayor Johnny Jackson; and Senator Bobby Singleton. I participated in a conference call with several senators and worked into the night. I also talked to the following: Senator Vivian Davis Figures; Dr. James Mitchell of Wallace Community College Selma (WCCS); Dr. Carol P. Zippert; and Ginger Avery Buckner of the Alabama Association for Justice.

Monday - I talked to the following: Lobbyist Quinton Hawkins; Dallas County Schools Superintendent Dr. Fannie McKenzie; Lorraine Capers of Selma; Doris Crenshaw of Montgomery; Greene County Sheriff Isom Thomas; Phil Rawls of the Associated Press; Julian Smith of Alabama Power Company; Senator Wendell Mitchell; Lowndes County Administrator Jackie Thomas; Rita Lett of WCCS; Dixie Bonner of Talladega; Larry Menefee of Montgomery; Lobbyist Amy Herring; and Senator Phil Poole. I traveled to Lowndes County to meet with several county and city leaders about an issue before returning to Selma to work into the night.

Tuesday - I handled several matters and traveled to Montgomery for the following: meeting with Representative Jeff McLaughlin about the PAC-to-PAC transfer bill; a brief Senate Democratic Caucus meeting; a Senate Session; a meeting with Representative Richard Lindsey and Two Year College Chancellor Bradley Byrne and his assistant Anita Archie about the Education Budget. I talked with the following: WCCS President Dr. James Mitchell; Darryl Perkins of Congressman Artur Davis Office; Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom, Jr.; Lobbyist Tom Coker; Senator Kim Benefield; Senator Roger Bedford; David Stout of AEA; Ginger Avery Buckner of the Alabama Association of Justice; Calvin E. Booker of Georgia; Senator Rodger Smitherman; Lobbyist Paul Hamrick; Senator Arthur Orr; and Sharmonica Austin of Uniontown. I returned to Selma to view the Democratic Primary results as I worked into the night.

Wednesday - I traveled to Birmingham and on to Montgomery where I handled the following: an appearance on the Alabama Public Television Program, Capitol Journal, with Jeff McLaughlin; Consultant Rich Dent; Anita Archie; Phillip King of Selma; John Bean of Alabama Public Television; Representative James Thomas; and Judge Marvin Wiggins. I returned to Selma where I handled many matters.

Thursday - I went to Montgomery for a Senate Session and the following meetings: Representative Richard Lindsey, Joyce Bigbee, Norris Green, and Frank Gilcher about the education budget; Senator Bobby Singleton and others about the Greene County Bingo Bill; Dr. Paul Hubbert and Dr. Joe Reed of the Alabama Education Association (AEA); Senator Roger Bedford and others; Senator Parker Griffith; Senator E. B. McClain; Senator Myron Penn; Senator Zeb Little; and Senator Vivian Davis Figures. I returned to Selma for the kick-off of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee. I attended two receptions and spoke at the mass meeting about supporting the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute.

Friday - I traveled to Birmingham for the funeral of Alma Threatt, the sister of my law partner, Collins Pettaway, Jr. I began writing Sketches while I waited. I returned to Selma and participated in the mock trial, Is Jim Crow Dead? and attended a presentation at Wallace Community College Selma by Dr. Cornell West. I talked with many leaders.

EPILOGUE - Sometimes others speak better for us than we can. Sometimes even without trying. Sometimes even without knowing. We just have to help others know who is speaking for us.

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