Barbara Cross... MLK Speaker at Clemson University

"Barbara Cross is the oldest of four children born to Rev. and Mrs. John Cross. In June 1962, Barbara and her family moved to Birmingham, AL, when her father became pastor of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.

On Sunday September 15, 1963, Ku Klux Klan members planted and exploded bombs as 80 children waled into the church basement for Sunday School. Four little girls were killed, and 22 others were injured. The attacks was designed to incite fear in the community for supporting the Civil Rights Movement. Instead, the incident created a public outrage and momentum for the Civil Rights Movement." - Taken from the program bio of teh MLK Commemorative Service at Clemson University; Tuesday, January 16, 2007
She first said that the young ladies were often refered to as "The Four Little Girls" and that they were indeed that but also indviduals with names which she wanted us to know, recognize and be able to recall. Four girls—Addie Mae Collins (aged 14), Cynthia Wesley (14), Carole Robertson (14), and Denise McNair (11) . Durinng her expressive and informative speech Ms. Cross also shared with us her ABC's of Dr. King..

A
Atlanta, Agape Love
B
“Bombingham”
C
Courageous, Committed
D
Dreamer, Drum Major for Righteousness
E
Equality, Economic Boycott
F
Freedom
G
Gandhi (NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE)
H
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I
Injustice (ridding the world of such)
J
Justice
K
Killed
L
Love
M
Marching from Montgomery to Memphis
N
Noble Peace Price
O
Oppressed
P
Preacher, Prophet, Peacemaker
Q
Quiet
R
Remember, Reflect, Renew our lives to the cause of freedom
S
Service
T
Teacher
U
United in the Spirit of Brotherly love
V
---
W
---
X
---
Y
---
Z
Zeal

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She stressed how Dr. King Lived the Dream, by Being the Dream through the aforementioned characteristics, actions, or inspirations. She also shared with us a few statements of reflection that she referred to as HEAVY if reflected on for a moment.

"Nonviolence does not mean that you will not be killed... it
means YOU will not kill someone"-unknown source-

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."-Martin Luther King, Jr; Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963-

"Either we live together in peacefulness or die together in
foolishness."-Martin Luther King, Jr-

It was a pleasure to mingle with her afterwards in the reception to honor her which is where the above picture of her and my mama was taken (Cross on the right). She was quite personable and one day I look forward to reading her book that she has yet to write about he experience of being in the church the day the bomb went off. In both her speech and one on one talk she told us of how her Sunday School teacher held her back to finish something. Which was the only reason she was not with the four young ladies that were killed in the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. She told of how one of the young ladies was her best friend. How one of the young ladies was holding her wallet for her and it was returned to her weeks later, and she recalled where it had been. She told of how Dr. King and others came to her home and worked with her father to compose the eulogy. She has so much to tell of her experience on that day and if you ever are fortunate enough to hear her tell of it, it is worth hearing. She my friends... is walking history.

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Today's Recipe

submitted by Geneva G

MEXICAN CORNBREAD

1½ cup of self rising cornmeal(Preferably White Lily®)

3 eggs½ cup cooking oil

1 8oz. can of cream corn

2 medium onions, chopped

8 oz. of extra sharp cheese, diced

¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, crushed

½ bell pepper, chopped

Preheat oven to 450degrees. Mix all ingredients. Get a 9” X 11” baking pan. Spray pan with Baker’s Joy ®. Pour mixture into pan and level out. Place in oven and cook until brown ~30 minutes. (Length of time will depend on how hot the oven is… (i.e. may take longer if you do not preheat the oven). Remove from oven. Let cool and cut into equal square s & Serve.