What’s Goin’ On?

George Wallace Inaugural 1963

"It is very appropriate that from this cradle of the Confederacy, this very heart of the great Anglo-Saxon Southland, that today we sound the drum for freedom as have our generations of forebears before us time and again down through history. Let us rise to the call for freedom-loving blood that is in us and send our answer to the tyranny that clanks its chains upon the South. “In the name of the greatest people that have ever trod this earth, I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever."

Project C

"The purpose of ... direct action is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation"

Birmingham, Alabama 1963

Video clip

Letter from Birmingham Jail

“Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

MLK JR.

"Stand in the Schoolhouse Door“ University of Alabama

“To stop integration Alabama needed a "few first-class funerals."

Birmingham Church Bombing On Sunday, 15th September,

1963, a white man was seen getting out of a white and turquoise Chevrolet car and placing a box under the steps of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Soon afterwards, at 10.22 a.m., the bomb exploded killing Denise McNair (11), Addie Mae Collins (14), Carole Robertson (14) and Cynthia Wesley (14).

George Wallace 1972

Talking Birmingham Jam by Phil Ochs

Walkin' down to Birmingham Way down south in Dixie Land I thought that I would stop awhile Take a vacation southern style. Got some southern hospitality Down there in a southern hospital

Oh, all the signs said welcome in Signed by Governor Wallace and Rin-Tin-Tin They said come along and watch the fights While we feed our dogs on civil rights Now, don't get us wrong Some of our best Negroes are friends

Well I've seen travelin' many ways I've traveled in cars and old subways But in Birmingham some people chose To fly down the street from a fire hose Doin' some hard travelin' From hydrants of plenty

Well, a pack of dogs was standin' by I walked up to them and I said, "Hi“ I asked one dog what they all were doin' He walked up to me and started chewin‘ I said, "Hold it, I'm from the A.S.P.C.A. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Agitators“

And I said, "There must be some men around There can't be only you dogs in town“ They said, sure, we have old Bull Conner There he goes walkin' yonder Throwin' some raw meat to the Mayor Feedin' bones to the city council

You know Governor Wallace doesn't mean no harm Can't you see he's got a lot of charm? He protectin' us whites, both the rich and poor Standin' in the schoolhouse doorCrackin' jokes, talkin' to Huntley Brinkley Servin' jury duty, gettin' re-elected

So, I asked them why they spent their time With segregation on their mind They said, "If you don't like to live this way Get out of here, go back to the U.S.A Live with all them Russians and New York folksingers“

Some say they're past their darkest hour Those moderates are back in power Oh, they listen close with open ears They'll help us out in a couple of hundred years But don't push 'em whatever you do Or else you'll get those extremists back in

You see, Alabama is a sovereign state With sovereign dogs and sovereign hateThey stand for the Bible and Constitution They stand against communist revolutionThey say "It's Pinkoes like you that freed the slaves" And they're right