I was born in 1963, October.
I saw a play yesterday set in 1963, September.
It revolved around a real moment in history, the killing of four girls in Alabama.
The next month, August, 1963 was the March on Washington and the infamous King speech.
The month after my birth, November, 1963, was the assassination of John F. Kennedy. What a mess…what a time…
Currently, 2019 also seems a messed-up time in my country.
Maybe times are always messed up.
Maybe that’s why seeing this play about another time can inspire.
The play ends with the call to “Stand Up”, a theme running through my Reading class right now. It’s another reminder for me about how, through story, we can learn and think and be inspired to a better world.
For more information about the making of the play and for tickets.
(show runs through 3/24.)
Writing Stories by Sally 
I like the structure of this slice – the 1963 references, and then a circle around to 2019. Yes, I do think ALL times have their challenges, fights, and victories. We can only hope that we continue to survive and thrive despite the turmoil that comes. Love your photo and love the Watsons Go To Birmingham book, so I’m sure the play was wonderful!
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Don’t despair. We are a flawed nation with more optimistic and hopeful people than there are on the other side. I think if we keep plugging away at spreading joy it will pay off.
I would have loved to have been there to see the play!
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Thanks for your encouraging, optimistic words.
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I just watched the movie “Selma” which begins with a representation of those 4 little girls being killed. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should take a look on Netflix. It was really really well done. Your post helped me make a connection ! I’ll put “Watson’s Go to Birmingham” on my To Re-Read list!
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Thanks for the Netflix suggestion! Miss you!
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Our 7th grade students went to see this play today- thanks for the lesson plan idea for tomorrow! 🙂
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Happy to help!!
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I was 7 in 1963 and remember some of those events and it was a mess. They say we learn from history, but I’m not sure this is really so. It seems things go in cycles, the good and the bad.
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I was born a month after you in 1963. I can say I was alive when Kennedy was (for 16 days). We’ve had some peaceful times, some crazy times, and some difficult times over the years. We need to continue to BE THE CHANGE we wish to see…every single day. We need to help our students not only learn about historic events, but what conditions led to those events so that history takes on a context for creating our futures. I’d love to see that play. Sounds like a good one.
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Growing up just outside of Flint, MI, I’m a huge fan of Christopher Paul Curtis. I love that he left the Flint’s Fisher Body assembly line to write amazing historical fiction novels for young people!
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Starting with the dates was powerful.
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