Trussville
~ 5/5/03
click on an image below to see a
full size photo
I drove Monday morning to Trussville
after spending the weekend in Birmingham for the Footsoldiers Reunion.
Throughout the bus tour, I've managed to usually estimate the driving
times fairly well and arrive just in time. Not so this morning. But
instead of being late, I arrived in Trussville about an hour and a
half in advance for some reason. Arriving early on the slow-moving
bus is indeed a rarity. However, the time was well spent eating a
healthy breakfast at Krystal while reading the Birmingham News and
working on my speech.
Clouds were looming overhead as I ate my Cheese
Krystal and before I swallowed the last morsel the bottom fell out.
I made my way to Hewitt-Trussville Jr High in the pouring rain and
missed my turn which almost made me late after all. The teacher that
set up the bus stop, Kay Ryan, welcomed me as I finally found the
school just in time. About 200-300 history students assembled in the
gym to learn about constitutional reform.
I'm always afraid that students will immediately
fall asleep when they hear the word "constitution", but
it has not happened yet and Trussville was no exception. I began telling
them the sad history of the 1901 constitution, explained how it is
adversely affecting all of us, and gave them information on how to
get involved and how students can make a difference.
Usually I invite the students to come outside and
sign the bus, but today we were foiled by the rain. But no worries!
Alabama's innovative teachers came to the rescue! After years of teaching
in under funded schools constantly hammered by proration, they have
to be able to make do with what's available. They brought in some
large sheets of paper and we invited students to sign these instead.
Many thanks to the principal and students of Hewitt-Trussville
Jr High and especially Kay Ryan.
Footsoldiers
40th Year Reunion, Birmingham ~ 5/2/03
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full size photo
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"Reform One" with the 16th
Street Baptist Church in the background.
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A footsoldier shares
his courageous story. |
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Students sign the bus outside of the
Civil Rights Institute.
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A common sight in gas
stations across the state. |
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The Footsoldiers Reunion was a celebration
of the people that took to the streets of Birmingham forty years ago
in the name of civil rights. On Thursday night I attended a mass meeting
at Sardis Baptist Church. I feel sorry for anyone who missed it because
it was definitely one of the most memorable events in my life. I was
in constant awe of being surrounded by the men and women who risked
their lives for equality. (I was also in constant awe of the wonderful
music!)
On Friday morning I parked the bus outside of the
Civil Rights Institute and next to Kelly Ingram Park while the reunion
took place. As visitors and Footsoldiers strolled the park, many would
stop by the bus to see what it was all about. It was a timely setting
to discuss the racist origins and racist language still contained
within the 1901 constitution, among its other flaws.
On Saturday night I sat at ACCR's sponsored table
at the Footsoldiers banquet along with other constitutional reform
supporters. The Footsoldiers Reunion was definitely one of the bestbus
stops yet.
Holtville
~ 5/1/03
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full size photo
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"Reform One" in front of historic
Holtville High School.
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Two Holtville students
sign up. |
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I had read about Holtville High School the
week before in the Montgomery Advertiser. A 10th grade advanced history
class decided to do more than talk about reform and started planning
a student march in Montgomery. I got in touch with them and offered
ACCR's help to make it happen. They seemed excited and invited me
to come speak to them at their school at a planning session for the
march. I think the presence of "Reform One" helped energize
them even more.
What energized me that day was something I have
not had in a long time: rectangular high school cafeteria pizza! Thanks
for inviting me to lunch, Holtville!
Tuskegee
~ 4/21/03
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full size photo
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Dr Keith Ward talks about bathing babies
and recompilation.
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What "no parking"
sign? |
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I first saw Pebblin Warren testifying at
a public hearing conducted by the Governor's constitution commission.
She did a wonderful job and a few weeks later I called her up to see
if she would be interested in helping bring the bus to her hometown
of Tuskegee. I was sure hoping she would, because that would give
me another excuse to go back! I love the college town atmosphere and
I love history and there are not too many places in the country that
have so much of both.
Mrs. Warren is an active member of the Democrats
of the 82nd District and invited ACCR to come and speak to them on
the constitution. Dr Keith Ward of Auburn University, who played key
roles in the early days of ACCR, joined me there for the presentation.
The 25 audience members received a 45 minute crash course on the constitution.
One of the more memorable lines came when Dr Ward
was describing recompilation. He compared recompilation to bathing
a baby without soap. Yes, it will help and it won't sting the baby's
eyes, but it's not going to really get the baby clean.
I had a chance to chat with the Sheriff of Macon
County as everyone signed the bus following the meeting. Sheriff David
Warren explained to me how tough it was for the sheriff's department
to cover for the lack of state troopers along the interstate in Macon
County. I can't imagine how harder it will be if state trooper manpower
is reduced by 1/3 as Gov. Riley has claimed if something is not done
about the budget shortfall.
Go to: The Bus Driver Diaries ~ Part 2
Go to: The Bus
Driver Diaries ~ Part 1
Return to: Constitutional
Reform ~ in the News
