Week One of the 2024 Encampment

Welcome to the Birthplace of Civil Rights Movement!

The 2024 Encampers arrived on July 2 throughout the day and into the evening. They spent July 3 on getting to know each other, establishing community values, and learning relationship-building tools. They took a field trip to the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park that “honors the lives and memories of the 10 million Black people who were enslaved in America and celebrates their courage and resilience.” Encampers and staff were moved by the sculptures and artifacts dating from the slavery era and the plaques representing the words of families who were torn apart during this time. Several Encampers reflected that this was a deeper experience of history than is presented in schools. They also made connections to current issues such as the prison system.

On July 4, they talked about what Independence Day means to them. The discussion started with viewing a short video about Frederick Douglass’s historic July 4 speech in 1852, “What to the Slave is your Fourth of July?”: “I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us.”

Encampers pointed out that many people still are not guaranteed the benefits that the Bill of Rights sets out, but they also expressed gratitude for the opportunities they have now that their ancestors did not. Here are a few comments gathered from that discussion:

Frederick Douglass wasn’t like the stereotype of slaves and that made people uncomfortable.
It’s hypocritical to ask us to celebrate a day that contains so much sorrow.
Frederick Douglass’s words show the need for action.
I want to see the world made better for all

Ashley said that, since her parents are immigrants, she is celebrating the struggle it took to get here — not the country. “It was a struggle and a sacrifice to cross the border. It was a river; it was walking for miles through the desert. In the village they lived in, there was no opportunity… I’m celebrating the opportunities here, like free education…. My family doesn’t celebrate the founding fathers but we do celebrate the community we’ve found here. Although, this country does have problems, liberty for me is opportunity.”

Keying off Ashley’s statement, Evangeline talked about a related issue: “Back then, my people — the children were taken away from their families to boarding schools to be ‘civilized.’ Their hair was cut, and they were not allowed to speak their language. I have had opportunities that my ancestors did not. For instance, I can learn my language and practice my beliefs, and I had a coming-of-age ceremony that my grandmother was not able to have. It’s crazy to think about, but the people in these boarding schools were not allowed to be who they are …. I have all these opportunities and I want to continue that. That is what Independence means to me: I can go to powwow and dance with my people.”

The day concluded with a cookout; singing with Jane Sapp and visitors Sophia Bracy Harris, Destiny Williams, and Cynthia Stinson; and fireworks. This reel shows highlights.

On Day Four of the 2024 Encampment, Dr. Robert White* led a spirited discussion and Q&A about community organizing, looking specifically at the history of the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama. He was helping to set the context for viewing Episode One of “Eyes on the Prize,” which focuses on the beginnings of that movement. Program Director Jesus Salcido encouraged the group to keep making the connections between the experiences they are having, the speakers, and the film to current events in their communities.

Photo: Dr. White is in the back, sixth from right.

Sophia Bracy Harris, an author and co-founder and former executive director of the Federation of Child Care Centers of Alabama (FOCAL), was the featured speaker on July 6. She spoke about her childhood in rural Alabama under Jim Crow (segregation laws) and her work in challenging that system (and others) by organizing, advocacy, legislative work, and introducing groundbreaking curricula. She left them with the words: “Whatever you do, have it mean something — that it’s embedded in the principle of love, of sharing; the principle of standing up for what is right; recognizing what we do to the least of them, it will come back and visit us again.”

Photo: Sophia Bracy Harris is seated in chair, second row, fifth from the left. Encampers are holding copies of her book, Finding My Own Way: A Journey to Wholeness Against the Odds.

Lew Zuchman, founder and executive director of ScanHarbor, joined the Encampers via Zoom, and talked about his early life and his experiences as a Freedom Rider. His stories of his Freedom Ride to Mississippi, subsequent imprisonment, and being in segregated Jackson were a personal introduction to that portion of the curriculum, which continued with a trip to the Freedom Riders Museum that afternoon. He also talked about how unsuccessful early attempts at voter registration were due to the environment of fear in the South. He then talked about James Meredith’s March Against Fear, which was initiated as a response to the fear. He pointed out that the situation for Black and Latino youth has not gotten better since the ’60s. He said the rate of incarceration in America is up 300%, mostly of Black and Latino youth; only 25% of the young people in East Harlem are reading at grade level; and the Bronx had the highest rate of deaths during COVID.

He also said that the Freedom Rides and working with young people changed his life helping him see the world as a place he wants to make better.

Click for Brooklyn talking about what the Freedom Rides Museum means to her.

On July 7, Program Director Jesus Salcido introduced the film “The Children’s March,” which documents the 1963 protest in Birmingham, Alabama. Children who volunteered to march were attacked by police with dogs and assaulted with fire hoses. Board Member Steve Davis led the debriefing discussion, urging the Encampers to share their impressions of the movie that powerfully portrays the courage and commitment of the Birmingham youth who were jailed repeatedly, as well as attacked. Here is some of what they shared:

“It [the protests] was a powerful action and an achievable goal. It came with consequences, but it was impactful. They were proud and I felt proud.”

“I felt empowered by them and how much of a difference they were able to make, but I was also thinking of all the protests that people try to organize today and social media and an attitude of “Oh, yeah, I’m going to do it” but it doesn’t happen … It’s important to care and take action.”

“I’m so moved by the backbone and strength they had. They knew the risks and they still fought the injustices. It motivates me as a young Black person to make that fight — to carry on that fight.”

“I thought about when Kennedy asked the children to step out of the march — why didn’t he ask the police to not arrest them?”

“They were reclaiming their power by the way they went back to jail after they were released.”

“There are so many distractions now — everybody has WiFi and can watch YouTube while eating. We don’t have time to sit with it.”

“Steve ended the discussion by asking, ‘What would you sacrifice everything for? What is it that you believe in so fiercely that you would be willing to sacrifice the way these young people sacrificed?’”

“Later that day, they watched Episode Three of “Eyes on the Prize,” titled “We Ain’t Afraid of Your Jails.” In his introduction, Jesus asked the Encampers, ‘What are some of the organizing tools you are learning about?’ They mentioned: protest, using the media, and non-violence. He pointed out that the question is ‘How do you move from where you are to where you want to be?’”

After the film, Encampers shared their thoughts. Here are a few:

“I am so grateful for their strength and courage.”

“I was inspired by Diane Nash — her story and how much power she had inside her at such a young age.”

“Through everything, their faith in each other and what they were doing gave them strength. I find that inspiring.”

One overall sentiment that was heard a lot during the daily debriefs and that sums up an underlying theme of this first week is, “I’m going to vote and I’m going get my friends to vote. I see the sacrifices that were made to get the vote and I can see the connections to what is going on now.”

Photo: Encampers and Staff wearing their VOTE t-shirts, designed by EFC alum Carol Hsu and her husband Jean-Pierre. You can find more VOTE t-shirts at their website. The t-shirts in the photo have the Encampment logo on the front so ask us if you are interested in one of those.

*Dr. White is an educator, legal analyst, and pastor with more than 25 years of professional experience. He has taught in higher education for more than 20 years. He served as in-house legal counsel for the Alabama Education Association and interim director of voter registration and elections for the Secretary of State’s Office. He is co-founder of Quail Energy, the first registered African American alternative energy company in the state of Alabama. He is currently, with his wife, pastoring the Montgomery City of Refuge and the Greenville City of Refuge. He has been a member of the faculty of Alabama State University for more than 20 years and also serves as an adjunct instructor for other local colleges.

Want to learn more? Join us for the virtual segments of the 2024 InterGen: Montgomery, Alabama, July 20 – July 21!

Join the newest Encampers, fellow alums and supporters for a one-of-a-kind EFC experience with local activists focused on civil and voting rights! Gathering near the end of the 2024 Encampment, we will reflect on the legacy of those who fought passionately to preserve voting rights and learn what inspires the next generation of changemakers — the 2024 Encampers. These young people are eager to engage with adult allies as they face unprecedented challenges to democracy. We invite you to be part of the solution by joining us at the 2024 InterGen! EFC’s engaging interactive programming includes an all-group trip to the Lowndes Interpretive Center which commemorates the historic march from Selma to Montgomery for voting rights and lunch and discussion with some of the Foot Soldiers. Explore Montgomery’s vibrant culture with local activists and fellow alums. We’ll be having dinner with local activists and hearing what the Encampers have learned at Martha’s Place, a nationally known venue where the local community gathers.

The virtual segments are outlined below – you must register to receive the link. The in-person registration has closed.

Virtual InterGen

SATURDAY July 20:

Session 1 – 12:45*-3 PM, Central/11:45-2 MT/10:45-1 PT/ 1:45-4 ET: Foot Soldiers Presentation with Q&A and Reflections. *We are offering an optional segment 15 minutes before the programming starts to provide context for this segment. If you would like to skip this part, join 15 minutes later.

Session 2 – 6-8 PM Central/5-7 MT/ 4-6 PT/ 7-9 ET: Encamper Presentations, Acknowledgement of Local Supporters

SUNDAY, July 21, 9:45*-12 Central/ 8:45*-11 MT/ 7:45*-10 PT/ 10:45*-1 ET, Deanna Fowler and Khadidah Stone of Alabama Forward, will be joining alum Miles Rapoport, executive director of 100%Democracy for a discussion and Q&A about the Urgency of Voting. *We are offering an optional time to meet with a few Encampers and staff before this segment. If you would like to skip this part, join 15 minutes later.

Click here to register for the virtual components of InterGen.

Email admin@encampmentforcitizenship.org with questions.