Ife's Post - June 17 Ride Day 3

Ife's Post - June 17 Ride Day 3

6 days ago 0 comments Categories: Underground Railroad Tour 2011 Tags: underground railroad, cycling, youth

We arrived in Jackson yesterday and were escorted by police cars into the town. Upon our arrival at the police station we met the mayor and the welcoming police officers. They provided us with shelter and food/drinks. Previously that day I rode about 30 miles, and after re-injuring my knee and I had a break down, (like a baby). I was in pain, I felt like a quiter, a “loser”, so I cried a  little and I was being harsh on myself. However I definitely learned some important things about myself that day, And it’s only the beginning.

Skipping forward to today, we arrived in Selma. We visited the National Voting Rights Museum, walked through the town and across the famous Edmund Pettus bridge. Which was wonderful! I felt as if I was in the 1950’s. When I think back to the pictures of Bloody Sunday and the marchers marching through Selma and across the Edmund Pettus bridge, and compare/contrast today’s Selma, it doesn’t look like a lot has changed. I learned today that racism is still very blatantly prevalant in Selma, and that there is a 50% drop out rate in the public schools of Selma, which are predominately African American. I’ve been wondering, Where do we go from here?

Spoke 'n Revolutions Youth Cycling UGRR Tour 2011 ~ Visit the nation's National Parks. 
Let's Move Outside!