Silent Civil Rights March

Students on our team have been studying the southeast region. On the last stop of our "tour" we visited Montgomery, Alabama. Students learned about the civil rights movement and peaceful protests.

Students learned that African Americans were still be segregated against during the 1950s. Students picked a topic/area where segregation occurred: water fountains, schools, amusement parks, beaches, etc. They came up with their own slogans and created protest signs.

On February 28th, our team participated in a silent march through the hallways. 

After the march, students read the following poem:

           In the 1950s, Americans wondered when everyone would be truly equal.

          Americans heard the strong voices of those who wanted equal rights. 

          Americans saw Martin Luther King Jr. take a stand against segregation.

          Americans wanted the bus protest to be successful.

          Americans felt sad when others were treated unfairly.

          In the 1950s, the United States was a place where people wanted a better 

          future for all children.

Then students were asked to complete the bolded statements about civil rights today.

Their beautiful, poetic responses are in italics.

          Today, Americans wonder...

          if we will ever have peace
          will it ever happen again?
          what will it be like later?
          how to help others

          

          Americans hear...

          voices that used to sound so sad
          strong voices that wanted equal rights
          Martin Luther King's speech
         

          Americans see...

          what we used to be is so wrong
           people with fair rights
           a healthy safe land among themselves
           black and white people at school
           that it was wrong

         Americans want....

         to be truly free from segregations grasp
         money
         another chance
         this time to stay
         a better world

          Americans feel...

           happier
           pride
           different when people are separated
           great again
           loved and special

          Today, the United States is a place where...
           freedom is so close, we can feel it's love
           we are safe
           people enjoy life
           everyone is equal
           everyone is allowed