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PER SON A L REFLECTIONS Remembrance: Adult Education at the National Civil Rights Museum By Sherry Herbers T he National Civil Rights pie will get to the promised land." the movement in multiple new roles in society. And at still Museum in Memphis, Tenn., is I fought back tears as I listened forms-formal and informal, another level, songs raised united dedicated to keeping the memory to the spine-chilling rendition of written and oral. voices, lifted the weary, kept the of the movement alive. Fifteen Mahalia]ackson's "Precious In the 1940s, the Congress on dream ever present, and spread interactive exhibits highlight sig Lord" while standing in front of Racial Equality planned sit-ins the message of freedom. nificant events in the Civil Rights the room where Dr. King spent his and gave advice on nonviolent The National Civil Rights "movement." Visitors can step final hours. The visit was a roller protest tactics. They provided writ Museum keeps the struggle in the into a bus with a mannequin of coaster ride of intense emotion ten guidelines for sit-in participa light so that we may never forget. Rosa Parks. Sounds such as the primarily deep, plunging dips into tion. In the late 1950s, SCLC My first visit initiated a perspective banging ofthe seat and the voice sadness, horror, shame and anger. (Southern Christian Leadership transformation. I was confronted of a bus driver telling each pas I carried away a taste of the Conference) provided training in with the societal constraints that senger to "move to the back ofthe unremitting struggle for human how to conduct a demonstration, were a part ofmy community and bus" stir the emotions. The news rights. respond with nonviolence, and ofmy own history. This led to footage ofsnarling dogs and the self-protect in the face of violence. reflection, discussion, and action. rushing water of fire hoses attack Nightly workshops were used in It was, however, the awareness of ing nonviolent protesters evoke Albany in 1961 to overcome fear the magnitude ofthe community consternation. The senses are and apathy in the African Ameri based training that produced an bombarded. can community by promoting a integrative perspective. This train I have been to this museum vision ofhope and unity. The ing empowered individuals and The visit was aroller many times in many roles. I have intent, according to the exhibit, precipitated structural changes in coaster ride of intense observed the reactions of students was to "weld the community into society and specifically, in our and other professionals. I still one bond of reason and emo educational system. This isour emotion-primarily deep, recall my first visit. I cringed tion." It was the clarity of the legacy. The NCRM isa memorial plunging dips into sadness, while seeing white men pour message and the vision offree to the power ofadult education. ketchup into the hair of black stu dom that propelled the move horror, shame and anger. dents because they dared to sit at ment. The structure and the a dime store lunch counter. I felt discipline channeled energies, awe at the courage of these col passions, and outrage into con lege students and those onthe structive action. These actions Freedom Ride; I wondered what I spoke louder than snarling dogs would be willing to risk life and and abusive antagonists. The limb to achieve. I went to the museum that first nonviolent responses to hostility The signs "I Am AMan" time as part ofa class project in a roused the nation. brought back a flood of memories multicultural counseling course. The unity ofthe protesters was of Memphis in 1968-the turbu I returned as a museum volun the result of a massive program of lence, the confusion, and most of teer. I assisted in bringing others adult education. The NCRM all, the fear. It was, however, the to the museum as special events exhibits show that adult learners final exhibit that sent me reeling. co-chair for a regional confer received training in nonviolence It began with the visionary last and strategies for change through ence. Yet, when I returned as a speech of Martin Luther King student of an adult education workshops, conferences, classes, telling the local crowd, "and I've leaflets, freedom schools, story course, I saw the power ofthe seen the promised land. I may not movement and ofthe people in a telling, modeling, role-playing go there with you. But I want you new light. I discovered that adult and oratory. At another level, job to know tonight, that we, as a peo- education was an integral part of training prepared participants for 8 D. Adult Learning
Adult Learning – SAGE
Published: May 1, 1998
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