Mamie King-Chalmers. Source: Kids in Birmingham 1963
In the documented history of Birmingham, Alabama’s pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, a few names stand out — mainly the names of people who committed racial atrocities in 1963 or of people who led the marches that filled the jail cells and helped turn the nation around.
But there are thousands of other names, those of the people who were young enough to be in school yet old enough to recognize that we were witnesses to historic events.
Kids in Birmingham 1963 offers a rich collection of first-person accounts by people who were children or youth in Birmingham in 1963. [Description from website.]
I’ve had my students watch this film for many years now, students from 7th grade to 12th grade. The best way I can describe how much impact this film made on my students was to tell how the kids react at the end of the film. When the movie is over, almost every time, I have a classroom of students clapping. This is one of the most powerful films to teach students the impact they can make on our society. They learn how true peaceful protest looks and how it can create true change. They learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and his desire for our country. I will continue showing this film for the rest of my years teaching. I wish our history books and lesson would include this because it is such a powerful message.