Yet “the martyrdom of those young people (in Birmingham) 60 years ago helped to change the world,” Archibald added. He urged Americans to resist “divisive concepts” now circulating throughout legislatures and school boards so the country isn’t “doomed to relive” racism from its past.
Lisa McNair, whose sister Denise was killed in the Birmingham church bombing, encouraged people to remember the past while working to prevent future unrest. “People killed my sister just because of the color of her skin,” she said. “Don’t look at this anniversary as just another day. But what are we each going to do as an individuals to try to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.”
Author and historian Jemar Tisby shared a series of reflections leading up to the 60th anniversary of the Birmingham church bombing. “Fear often erodes the conviction to speak up for racial justice. The prospect of facing persecution rightly gives us pause. But action is still required,” he said. “If we let the memory of Addie Mae, Cynthia, Carole, and Denise guide our actions, then we will speak up. We will act. We will confront instead of compromise with racism.”
