Montgomery, Alabama

Waking up in Montgomery and arriving at the Equal Justice Initiative office we were introduced to another element of racism, which involved many unfortunate experiences. We met Mr. Anthony Hinton who was stripped 30 years of his life due to Hate and Racism. These two white police officers were looking for someone that fit the description of a light skin, kinky hair black guy. Some guy gave the officers Mr. Anthony's name and they went to his house and arrested him for two counts of capital murder. While they were arresting him he asked why he was getting arrested but they never told him until he was in jail waiting for trail. Mr. Hinton began to question the detective on false accusations. The detective responded with heartbreaking words "We might have the wrong guy but I don't care...and we're going to win because you are going to have a white judge, white prosecutors, and a all white jury”. From that point on Anthony began to silence himself for about 3 years then he realized that there has to be another answer. In the process Anthony forgave the white men who did this to him. Along with his journey he seeks help from the Equal Justice Initiative, with the help from them and some long hard fighting April of 2015 Mr. Anthony was released. One thing I took from this conversation and experience was learning to forgive so that I could sleep at night, also keep my sense of humor going through rough times. Mr. Hinton stressed to us to let it go and just live everyday to the fullness of laughter.

I also want to mention what I observed in Montgomery as well as Selma. We walked to the state capital and saw the confederate flag being posted on the roof of the state capital. Teacher asked a question to the officer standing around the capital something along the lines of why do you live in this place with trader being represented, he said "Ugh....We don't get involved in that stuff its politics”. This was a black officer by the way and there was a white officer sitting in the passenger seat acting like he didn't Teacher John or hear the question. It made me wonder why is everyone no aware of their surroundings what you live in. Selma was shocking because it screamed surrender, depression and fear. There was no life, no pride, or fright it was dead, gloomy and dark. It looked like it was a long lost city in poverty. The only thing they had was church and memorial of Martin Luther King, and even that was dead. But with all that we had singing and holding on to each other's arms across the Pettus Bridge. Overall I feel this was something that needed to be seen. Were in the South.

Nia Jean-Baptiste, City Neighbors High School