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TRAVEL Birmingham’s Civil Rights Institute offers an emotional step into the past By Timothy Cox AUGUSTA FOCUS Staff Writer BIRMINGHAM, Ala. s my vehicle moved across the Alabama state line for the st-time, ever, I re counted names like Bull Connors and George Wallace. Then, Rosa Parks and Dr. Mar tin Luther King Jr. came to mind. As an African American who “grew up” during a time period when The Movement took shape, states like Alabama, Mississippi and even Georgia, could conjure very negative emotions — especially indel ible on the minds of young blacks whose only images of the south was gathered from network TV newsdramaticfilm footage. For middle-age and older adults, we generally “know” the Civil Rights story. But enter the halls of the Birmingham Civil Rights In stitute, and you’ll gather a re newed vigor concerning The Movement, how somany people suffered and died for rights too many of us take for granted these days. At any rate, what’s commonly called the Civil Rights Museum sheds a more positive light on Birmingham, even though the facility por trays the city in its darkest moment. Although it’s called an insti- Aries Spears to appear at Comedy House Ever since Chicago native Aries Spears was 14, he has been a force in comedy. His quick wit, charisma and aggressive style have earned him critical acclaim. A former regular on Fox TV’s MAD TV, he has starred in feature films and numerous late-night talk shows.. A principal cast member with MAD TV, Aries brings a fresh approach to the already edgy show. He does impersonations of James Brown, Al Pacino and his idol, Eddie Murphy. Spears was born April 3, 1975. Although his roots lie in Chi-Town, he was raisedin New Jersey. He’s appeared on Def Comedy Jam on HBO and Showtime at the Apollo. He also had arecurringrole on NBC’s “It’s Different World.” He also starred in the short-lived CBS series, South of Sunset with former Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey; appeared in Fox TV’s Crosstown Traffic and Brisco County Jr. He’s also appeared on Loveline (MTV), Vibe (with Sinbad), the Keenan Ivory Wayans, Soul Train and did voice-overs for ani mated an character on the TV show C-Bear and Jamal. (Comedian Aries Spear appears at the Comedy House Theatre, Thursday, April 13 through Satur day April 16. For ticket reservations, call 736.9190). Arnil 19 , KUUU P ! 1 . b R «apfl: o e )‘ L 8 = P~.{% B f Walking through The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is like taking a step into the South’s segregated past. Above are segregated drinking fountains and the actual jail from which Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous “Letter from a Birmingham jail.” The institute is open Tues. thru Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun days, 1 to 5 p.m. For tour information, call 205.328.9696.) tute because of the many edu cational activities and lectures that occur there, simply put, this state-of-the-art facility is primarily a museum. Located inthe heart of what's called the historic district of the city, the museum sits on 16* Street — just across from the famed Six teenth Street Baptist Church where four young girls were killed in-a Sunday morning AUTUDLIA PULUD bombing at the church, Sept. 15, 1963. Walking inside the museum, you initially enter a hallway entrance that purposely intro duces you to the segregated world of Birmingham — which, like other American cities, had a nightlife district which fea tured the great jazzmen of the periodlike Louis Armstrongand Duke Ellington. In addition, cAk 136‘91 ) FoR 10K GREAT IMPRESSIONS AND A FRESH, HIP STYLE OF COMEDY THAT APPEALS TO ALL AUDIENCES!! THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY B:3opm Bpm & 10:30pm Bpm & 10:30pm Bpm $5 $8 LY:] L 3 | 2701 Washington Road in the National Hills Shopping Center | | ACCOMMODATIONS FOR OUR COMEDIANS PROVIDED BY THE WINGATE INN I there were thriving black busi nesses,alongwith churches, fra ternal groups and other high society organizations depicted in the many photos on display. Perhapsmostrivetingwasthe portion of a Greyhound bus lo cated inside the facility. Tar nished with blackened ashes, this was the actual bus am bushed by agroup of whitehate mongers who threw Molotov ~ cocktails inside the bus which was occupied by Freedom Rid ers. The bus is in a darkened area of the museum, and an eeryfeelingnaturally overtakes those who enter this part of the building. Other displays included the actual jail cell where Dr. King compiled his “Letters from a BirminghamJail”and TV news casts and newspaper reports that chronicled the hate-filled sentiment of those times. Also interesting was an electronic map which tracked routes of Freedom Riders, primarily starting from Jackson, Miss. to Selma, Ala., and continuing through Birmingham, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbia,S.C.,Mary land, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and New England. Take my advice. If you find yourself en route to Birming ham anytime soon — for busi ness purposes, church trips, familyreunions or general plea sure — visit the Birmingham Civil Rightslnstitute. Foracity once commonly known as “Bombingham,” this town has made a positive rise and is a true testament to its motto — Inspired by the past, A vision for the Future. APR 13-16 3 \!K‘ 3C