Visiting Atlanta? Don’t Miss the National Center for Civil & Human Rights!

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights here in Atlanta, Georgia.  Admission is free for the month of February in honor of Black History month, courtesy of The Coca-Cola Foundation.  Even if you miss the free admission dates, this place is well worth full admission.

While there, I saw people of all races viewing the exhibits with respect and curiosity.  A few of the exhibits are short looped films about the Civil Rights Movement to include The Freedom Riders and The March on Washington.  I spent a great deal of time at these exhibits watching the films and the people viewing the films.  It was interesting viewing the people’s reactions as they viewed the films.  There was a Caucasian couple who appeared to be in their early 30s and as they watched the film on The Freedom Riders, both whispered, “Wow” repeatedly, as if they were learning about the violence and quest for human and civil rights for the first time.

Just in case you forgot about the Freedom Riders, let me give you a quick reminder.  The original Freedom Riders were a group of 13 black and white Activist who took bus trips through the American South in 1961 to protest segregated bus terminals. Freedom Riders tried to use “whites-only” restrooms and lunch counters at bus stations in Southern states. They encountered horrific violence from white protesters along their routes, but also drew international attention to their cause. People viewing the film appeared genuinely saddened that this occurred in the United States less than 60 years ago.

As I strolled through the Center, I noticed mothers, fathers, sons & daughters of all nationalities learning about the atrocities, not only committed on African-Americans, but on women and children from all nations.  The information on display was not meant to sadden but to inform and educate us all on civil and human rights.

I walked by an exhibit called “Trolling”; this exhibit chronicled the deaths of the 3 civil rights workers in Mississippi. I overheard an older gentleman talking to a group of teenagers about the importance of voting and how people died so that African-Americans could vote. This interaction was so inspiring and the respect for the older gentleman was so palpable that others stopped to witness the exchange.

When I think about the value of a place like the Center of Civil and Human Rights, I understand the knowledge within its walls are indeed valuable and important.  I’ve traveled Internationally and still believe the United States is a great place to live and be a citizen of, but U.S. History will forever be stained by hatred and bigotry.

As I watched people (young & old) viewing the exhibits, it was interesting that some people didn’t know about the Woolworth Counter Sit-In in Greensboro, North Carolina; some appeared not to know about the Birmingham Church Bombing and some people were awed by the 300,000 participants in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. I begin to wonder if this part of history was forgotten or no longer taught in school. I’m glad this center brings awareness to the African American experience.

As Black History month comes to an end for 2019, it’s important to remember why a whole month was dedicated to black history in the first place.  To remember the Freedom Riders, the Woolworth’s Counter, Ruby Bridges and Rosa Park is to remember what is was like then, to understand how far we’ve come and to be thankful for those who paid the price for our civil and human rights.

If you haven’t had a chance to get over to the National Center for Human and Civil Rights, now is a good time to do so. I promise – you’ll be inspired to be a better person and a better American.

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